All posts tagged: Eric Adams

Musical Chairs | Samuel Stein

Musical Chairs | Samuel Stein

Published by skeptic

My oldest friends, Tal and Nate, lived in Clinton Hill for fifteen years. When they moved there in 2005, virtually everyone around them rented; only a few families seemed to have very high incomes. But both of those dynamics gradually changed. By the time they enrolled their daughter Mira in preschool, there were no other renters among the parents. “With the influx of all the new condos, the neighborhood had gotten so rich,” Tal told me. They could tell their landlord wanted to raise their rent, as he had done for all the apartments upstairs when they turned over. Even as the rents rose, the building declined. Its heating system was chronically failing, to the point that Tal and Nate regularly had to put Mira to bed in a coat. In the winter of 2020, the landlord finally fixed the boiler, in return for which he demanded they pay $1,000 more in rent each month. Their financial circumstances were looking difficult when Covid hit. Then, almost overnight, the real estate situation changed dramatically. Hundreds of …

It’s New York City’s moral responsibility to welcome the stranger

It’s New York City’s moral responsibility to welcome the stranger

Published by Sam

(RNS) — Members of my faith community, New York’s historic Middle Church, have been volunteering at the East Village Earthchxrch (pronounced “Earthchurch”), offering support to the hundreds of migrants from the United States’ southern border and elsewhere who show up every day. In the church, a glassy converted bank building, dozens of neighbors coordinate meal programs, a free store and a place where folks can stay warm before city shelters open each night. More than just physical warmth, the kindness and love offered freely represent the very best of New York City and, for this pastor, what it means to be a Christian. Unfortunately, the magnitude of need vastly outmatches the resources volunteers can provide for our newest neighbors. New York City’s government, however, has the resources to fill the gap. What’s more, it has a moral obligation to do so. Since Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began busing people from the border to New York two years ago, he has stretched everyday people’s abilities to their breaking point. Mayor Eric Adams has been reluctant to …

At trial’s start, prosecutor says Brooklyn preacher lied to get rich, a claim his lawyer disputes

At trial’s start, prosecutor says Brooklyn preacher lied to get rich, a claim his lawyer disputes

Published by Sam

NEW YORK (AP) — A prosecutor told a jury at the start of a fraud trial Monday that a Brooklyn preacher exaggerated his ties to New York City Mayor Eric Adams and let greed overtake him as he looted a parishioner’s retirement savings and tried to extort a businessman to fuel his lavish lifestyle. His lawyer said the government is wrong. Lamor Miller-Whitehead, 47, a Rolls Royce-driving bishop, was accused by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Greenwood of telling the owner of an auto repair shop that he could get the mayor to “do official favors” if he and the businessman teamed up on real estate deals that could earn them millions of dollars. In Manhattan federal court, Greenwood called Miller-Whitehead a “con man who told lie after lie to victim after victim, committing crime after crime.” She said he was “willing to lie, cheat and steal to keep up his appearance of wealth,” which included fancy cars, designer clothing and the mansion where he lived. Miller-Whitehead has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud, attempted extortion …

Appeals court rules NYC law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections violates state constitution 

Appeals court rules NYC law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections violates state constitution 

Published by skeptic

A New York appeals court ruled Wednesday that a law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections in New York City violates the state’s constitution. The Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department ruled against the bill allowing noncitizens to vote in local New York City elections, including for mayor, in a 3-1 decision released Wednesday. The New York City Council approved the bill in 2021, which quickly faced a lawsuit challenging the law after Mayor Eric Adams (D) enacted it in 2022. “This case concerns the validity of Local Law No. 11 (2022) of City of New York, which created a new class of voters eligible to vote in municipal elections consisting of individuals who are not United States citizens and who meet certain enumerated criteria,” Associate Justice Paul Wooten wrote in the appeals court decision. “We determine that this local law was enacted in violation of the New York State Constitution and Municipal Home Rule Law, and thus, must be declared null and void,” he added. This delivered a win for those who filed a lawsuit against …

Winter storm hit Northeast, causing difficult driving, closed schools and canceled flights

Winter storm hit Northeast, causing difficult driving, closed schools and canceled flights

Published by skeptic

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Parts of the Northeast were hit Tuesday by a snowstorm that canceled flights and schools and prompted warnings for people to stay off the roads, while some areas that anticipated heavy snow were getting less than that as the weather pattern changed. More than 1,000 flights were canceled so far Tuesday morning, mostly at the airports in the New York City area and in Boston. It was the first major snowstorm in New York City since February 2022. The city, which has the nation’s largest school system, switched to remote learning and closed its buildings Tuesday because of the storm. “It’s been a quiet winter, so it’s kind of welcoming,” said Ricky Smith, who was on his way to a construction job in the city. “I just hope nobody gets hurt.” Mayor Eric Adams told New Yorkers not to underestimate the storm. “Let’s allow Mother Nature to do its thing,” he said. “The name of the game is to keep our roadways clear, and we’re hoping that people use public transportation …

New York City mayor hits Texas governor over his ‘mean-spiritedness’ on immigrant crisis

New York City mayor hits Texas governor over his ‘mean-spiritedness’ on immigrant crisis

Published by skeptic

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) hit Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott (R) over his “meanspiritedness” on the immigrant crisis, saying he “devastated” the lives of people coming into the country.  During his appearance on Good Morning America 3 Thursday, Adams said that Abbott is “intentionally” getting people on buses, “compelling” them to leave the city and that is why the mayor is hitting back with a lawsuit against a dozen charter companies.  “We reached out and tried to coordinate with just the mean-spiritedness of this governor who has, his intentionality of just placing people on buses, compelling them to leave the city,” Adams said. “That is why we’re taking legal action. When you look at what he’s doing, history is going to really reflect how much he has devastated the lives of people.”  In early January, Adams announced a lawsuit against 17 transportation companies where he is seeking $70 million to cover the cost of taking care of migrants coming into New York City. Abbott denounced the lawsuit, calling it “baseless.”  “It’s clear that …