Shhhh!by Mike Fitelson Shhhh! The voters may have finally put an end to the Democratic Primary by voting for Bill de Blasio for public advocate and John Liu for comptroller in last month’s special election, but we’re not quite ready to turn our attention to the Thompson – Bloomberg battle for mayor. While the primary never seemed to light a fire under voters citywide, it ended up being a memorable election season for Northern Manhattan. Here are a few of our favorite moments. The write-in candidates. In District 7, where he wasn’t even running, Ydanis Rodriguez garnered three write-in votes. That bettered the one write-in tally for Ydanis Rodrigues. The two write-in candidates in City Council District 10 tied with one vote each: Manhattan district attorney candidate Cy Vance (who must have one enthusiastic constituent) and Jeffrey Laufer, a former Community Board 12 staffer. Neither he nor his mother Joan will cop to penning his name on the ballot, which means there is another Laufer supporter in our midst. The best campaign promise. Vance soundly defeated his two opponents to replace Robert Morgenthau after three decades as D.A. To help connect with Northern Manhattan voters, he promised to create a Family Justice Center in Washington Heights, a kind of satellite office of the D.A. Following through on that promise would help Vance reach Morgenthauian heights with locals. Most, and least, equipped to deal with a screaming baby. It’s a mark of good political skills to be able to adapt to any moment, even when a fussy 13-month-old becomes a surprise guest during an interview. Of the handful of candidates who had to weather hurricane Helen while we prepared for our special election issue, Manny Velazquez – a real people person – sailed through with the slightest of ease. Comptroller candidate David Weprin, on the other hand, apparently decided to pretend the fledgling toddler wasn’t in the room, which made him appear stiff and annoyed. He even ignored a “no kissing the baby” joke, which is an open door for any politician worth his salt. Come to think of it, stiff and annoyed might just be his campaigning style. Best plug for community newspapers. Evidently a New York Times endorsement can only take you so far. Comptroller candidate David Yassky made sure that primary voters knew that he was the Gray Lady’s choice in prominently displayed signage on the day of the election run-off. Nevertheless, he lost to John Liu, who profusely thanked the ethnic press for its coverage of his campaign. In November, voters have the opportunity to make Liu the first Asian-American elected to citywide office. With those outstanding bits of political minutia taken care of, let’s see if the mayoral race generates enough heat to make us forget the primary. Shhhh!  Thu., Oct. 1 marked the return of the First Thursday Strolls, guided tours through Northern Manhattan’s nooks and crannies, a collaboration between the Manhattan Times and the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. This first Stroll after a 16-month layoff (see Hurricane Helen above), was led by Manhattan Times staffer Rafael Gomez Luna, who met a diverse group of about 30 Strollers at the NoMAA gallery for a curated look at the new exhibit of Latino artists called “!Aquí¡ (Here).” From the NoMAA gallery at Bennett Ave. and W. 189th Street, the entourage wandered north to Broadway and W. 190th Street at a new watering hole called Locksmith Bar. (Incidentally in the location of a former locksmith.) The manager/owner Oscar treated his guests to a free round of sangria and, since there is no food service, invited the group to order in. Sushi Yu was the popular choice. Check back with the Manhattan Times in the coming weeks, and every month after, to learn about the nocturnal Strolls that highlight what’s happening in Washington Heights and Inwood.
|
