Michael Bloomberg must be removed from office
After reading the devastating evidence in yesterday's New York Times that Michael Bloomberg not only knew that permits for a Central Park protest during the '04 GOP Convention were denied for political reasons, but made a false sworn statement denying any knowledge of the denials, I find myself coming to one conclusion. Mayor Bloomberg's behavior in this matter is grounds for removal from office.
Unfortunately, the New York City Charter provides little recourse in this matter. I searched high and low for a mechanism to remove a mayor, and could only find one--Governor George Pataki. So now is the time to ramp up the pressure on him, whether you're from New York state or not. This isn't just a New York thing. This is a national thing.
I thought that since New Yorkers have considerably more civil rights and civil liberties than most other states, they'd at least have the right to recall state and local officials. Not so. According to Chapter 1, section 9 of the New York City charter, a mayor can only be removed from office by the governor.
§ 9. Removal of mayor. The mayor may be removed from office by the governor upon charges and after service upon him of a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard in his defense. Pending the preparation and disposition of charges, the governor may suspend the mayor for a period not exceeding thirty days.
There is no circumstance I can imagine in which knowing about the denial of civil rights by city officials and then lying about it under oath are not offenses that warrant removal. And let's say it all together as a group--Clinton lied about his private affairs. Bloomberg lied about an official act.
I would imagine that the only reason this isn't front-page news all over New York and the country is because of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. But we can make this happen. Here's how:
1. Email Pataki and demand that show leadership and remove Bloomberg. Here's where to email him.
2. Sign this petition.
Unfortunately, the New York City Charter provides little recourse in this matter. I searched high and low for a mechanism to remove a mayor, and could only find one--Governor George Pataki. So now is the time to ramp up the pressure on him, whether you're from New York state or not. This isn't just a New York thing. This is a national thing.
I thought that since New Yorkers have considerably more civil rights and civil liberties than most other states, they'd at least have the right to recall state and local officials. Not so. According to Chapter 1, section 9 of the New York City charter, a mayor can only be removed from office by the governor.
§ 9. Removal of mayor. The mayor may be removed from office by the governor upon charges and after service upon him of a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard in his defense. Pending the preparation and disposition of charges, the governor may suspend the mayor for a period not exceeding thirty days.
There is no circumstance I can imagine in which knowing about the denial of civil rights by city officials and then lying about it under oath are not offenses that warrant removal. And let's say it all together as a group--Clinton lied about his private affairs. Bloomberg lied about an official act.
I would imagine that the only reason this isn't front-page news all over New York and the country is because of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. But we can make this happen. Here's how:
1. Email Pataki and demand that show leadership and remove Bloomberg. Here's where to email him.
2. Sign this petition.