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September 4, 2009
The Brooklyn Paper's Schizophrenic Endorsements
The Brooklyn Paper can't seem to make up its mind about Atlantic Yards as a campaign issue.
Incumbent James deserves re-election
No one in elected office has been a more outspoken opponent of Atlantic Yards, and especially its planned basketball arena, than Tish James.
She is a talented community leader who has shown gutsy independence by breaking with the city’s power elite when appropriate.
...But above all, Letitia James has consistently been ahead of her colleagues in criticizing much-hyped development projects that don’t create as much affordable housing or community benefits as promised.
As a reward for her various fights, James finds herself in a tough struggle for re-election. Her opponent, Delia Hunley-Adossa, is a strong supporter of the Atlantic Yards project, which has allowed her to raise enough money from the construction trades and other allies of the development to wage a serious campaign.
James has had to raise her money the old-fashioned way: by hitting up members of her community for small donations.
Despite her large war-chest, Hunley-Adossa offers little else but her support for Atlantic Yards.
...For all these reasons, we heartily endorse Letitia James for the Democratic nomination in the 35th District.
Dems should pick Heyer for the 39th District
Democratic voters in Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Carroll Gardens and other parts of the 39th Council District have four extremely qualified candidates for the nomination to succeed Councilman Bill DeBlasio.
...But the candidate we are endorsing for the Democratic nomination is John Heyer.
...And he’s the only candidate in the race who is not ashamed to say that he wants the Atlantic Yards basketball arena built at the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic avenues, a position that we share.
The Brooklyn Paper also endorsed long-time Atlantic Yards opponent Norman Siegel in the race for Public Advocate, and Evan Thies, who has become a very outspoken opponent of the project, in the 33rd District City Council primary.
Posted by eric at September 4, 2009 9:33 AM