News: POLITICO New York Playbook: Adams dines out with a cause

Friday, September 17, 2021

POLITICO New York Playbook: Adams dines out with a cause

Sep 17, 2021

By Erin Durkin, Anna Gronewold and Deanna Garcia

Eric Adams won the Democratic nomination for mayor in part on the strength of his message against gun violence, which was surging at the time of the primary campaign. As it turns out, shootings actually fell over the summer , easing the way for Adams even before a new mayor takes office. But violence remains well above pre-pandemic levels, and Adams remains determined to highlight the issue.

And he's doing it in a way only he can. Don't forget, this is the same politician whose response to the 2014 Ebola scare was to head to the bowling alley an infected doctor had visited so he could "put my fingers in the holes" of the bowling balls. So on a quiet-ish Thursday afternoon, after Mayor Bill de Blasio had finished crushing some dirt bikes, the Democratic nominee added an event to his schedule: "Adams to Eat at Manhattan Restaurant Tonight Where Patron Shot in Leg Yesterday." The restaurant was Philippe Chow, an upscale Manhattan Chinese spot where a man was shot Wednesday night in the outdoor dining area in an apparent robbery attempt. Dinner time was 4:45, ahead of the evening news.

Adams sat down with the restaurant owner at the same outdoor table where the patron was shot for a veritable vegan feast — lettuce wraps, crispy seaweed, scallion pancakes, tofu stir fry and more. But before he did, he hammered home his campaign message to a gaggle of cameras. "I constantly state that the prerequisite of our prosperity is public safety," he said, calling the brazen shooting a threat to economic revival and tourism. "As we recover as a city from the pandemic of Covid, we're going to recover as a city from the pandemic of crime. Too many guns on our streets. It's no longer isolated to just certain areas." In particular, Adams pushed his plan to bring back the NYPD's controversial plainclothes anti-crime unit, sure to spark a fight should he make it to City Hall. "We're going to continue to be dogmatic about this approach," he said.

IT'S FRIDAY. Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know ... By email: EDurkin@politico.com and agronewold@politico.com, or on Twitter: @erinmdurkin and @annagronewold

WHERE'S KATHY? Making an announcement in Manhattan and joining 32BJ to discuss recent legislation on essential worker wages.

WHERE'S BILL? Appearing on WNYC's Brian Lehrer show.

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WHAT CITY HALL'S READING

Legal Aid sues for Rikers records amid worsening crisis at city jail complex," by POLITICO's Erin Durkin: The Legal Aid Society sued the city Department of Correction Thursday, aiming to force the city to turn over records documenting living conditions in one of the most restrictive housing units at Rikers Island. The fight comes as Rikers has descended into a state of crisis in recent months, with a lack of correction officers leading to filthy and overcrowded cells and prisoners deprived of water and food. But public defense attorneys at Legal Aid say they've been stonewalled when seeking information about how bad things have gotten inside the Enhanced Supervision Housing units, where inmates are kept at a higher level of security. They filed two requests under the Freedom of Information Law in the spring and summer seeking a ream of documents, but have not received the information. "It's in general a very brutal place to be," said Robert Quackenbush, a lawyer with the Prisoners' Rights Project at Legal Aid. "The conditions are pretty desperate there."

— "Sources: Hochul to sign 'Less is More' jails reform act into law," by NY1's Gloria Pazmino : "As Rikers Island is in full crisis mode, Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to sign into law the 'Less is More Act,' which could potentially lead to the release of hundreds of incarcerated people currently being held for technical parole violations. Sources confirmed to NY1 that Hochul is expected to sign the legislation later Friday. But the law is not expected to take effect until March of next year. To speed up implementation, Hochul could add what is known as a chapter amendment to the bill, but sources said that is not currently being considered."

— "DOC commissioner says Rikers Island is too dangerous for reforms," by New York Post's Julia Marsh

"These New Yorkers Are Willing To Risk Their Jobs Over COVID-19 Vaccines," by Gothamist's Caroline Lewis

— "A few nurses are opting out of the vaccine, and their jobs. Here's why," by Democrat & Chronicle's Julie Sherwood.

"MTA Is Breaking Pandemic-Era Ridership Records, But Only Half of Riders Are Back," by WNYC's Stephen Nessen: "Mass transit is seeing its highest ridership of the pandemic era on the same week that students are returning to the nation's largest public school system, and most city employees are mandated to go back to the office. On Tuesday, 2.96 million straphangers rode the subway, and 1.3 million riders boarded buses. The commuter railroads have also been setting pandemic records. Metro-North broke its single-day ridership record on Monday with 122,000 commuters, and the Long Island Railroad hit 151,000 last Friday. Despite these new high water marks for ridership, the numbers are still only about half of what they were before the pandemic. NJ Transit's ridership also remains at about 50% of pre-pandemic levels."

— "City Tells Students Heading Back to School to Hop Turnstiles With Form Letters," by the City's Christina Viega.

"De Blasio rolls out COVID booster shot plan utilizing all NYC vaccination sites: 'We are ready ,'" by New York Daily News' Chris Sommerfeldt: "Federal regulators haven't authorized booster shots of the coronavirus vaccine yet — but Mayor de Blasio is already laying the groundwork for administering them. Hizzoner rolled out a booster shot plan Thursday that involves offering the additional doses at all vaccination sites in the city and extending opening hours at some of them to ensure access."

"New York City's Jobs Picture Grows Cloudier as Fall Approaches ," by The City's Greg David: "New York City's recovery from the pandemic recession came to a screeching halt over the summer as private sector jobs declined and the city's unemployment rate remained stuck at twice the national average. The outlook for the fall also remains cloudy as the end of special pandemic benefits costs jobless residents a total of almost $500 million a week, worries about the Delta variant curtails the return of office workers, and a nearly four-month wait for a new mayoral administration adds to the uncertainty."

WHAT ALBANY'S READING

"Hochul suspends hiring freeze for state agencies," by Times Union's Brendan J. Lyons: "Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced the state is lifting a hiring freeze that had been implemented during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, at a time when pay raises for roughly 80,000 government workers also had been delayed for months. The governor said the suspension of the hiring freeze was sparked by an updated state financial plan that projects $2.1 billion in revenue above what had been forecast. Agencies can hire through the end of the year without obtaining a waiver from the Division of Budget, but are being directed to 'prioritize hiring for their core missions and continue to prudently manage their resources.'"

"Gov. Hochul welcomes Afghan evacuees to NY, more than 1,000 expected," by Daily News's Tim Balk: "Gov. Hochul on Thursday promised a warm welcome to roughly 1,000 Afghan evacuees who are expected to settle in New York over the next six months. 'The heart-wrenching images and stories of people fleeing their homeland was a call to action that New York State is more than willing to answer,' Hochul said in a statement. 'We welcome our new Afghan friends with open arms and pledge to provide them the assistance they can rely on to rebuild anew.' Up to 240 evacuees are expected to land in the New York City area by the end of March, according to the governor's office, with up to 100 headed to Albany, 335 to Buffalo, 200 to Rochester, 248 to Syracuse and 20 to Utica. Some have already arrived."

"State appellate court rules Byron Brown off mayoral ballot; candidates await federal ruling," by Buffalo News's Patrick Lakamp and Deidre Williams: "State appellate judges Thursday ruled Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown's name should not be on the mayoral ballot in November. Now Brown and Democratic nominee India Walton await a federal appellate court ruling, which could bring clarity as soon as Friday to the ballot for Buffalo mayor. But potentially conflicting state and federal appellate court orders could also flummox Erie County Board of Elections commissioners over whether to put Brown's name on the general election ballot. The state appellate court weighed in Thursday, reversing a lower state court judge's ruling that ordered Brown's name on the ballot."

OPINION: "Commentary: Ensure New Yorkers' access to vital telehealth services," by Times Union's Rajesh Khanna: Jeffrey Borenstein and Joseph R. Sellers: "The COVID-19 public health emergency triggered — by necessity — a significant shift in how patients receive health care. It is crucial for the health of New Yorkers that policymakers ensure that our patients continue to have access to telehealth care. Telehealth availability became profoundly important for sustaining patient health — particularly in chronically ill patients — as the raging pandemic posed significant health risks in leaving homes. The surge in telehealth was particularly stark for care provided by mental health providers who were able to offer a range of services, including psychiatric evaluations, therapy, patient education and medication management, all via telehealth... Mental health and primary care were the most utilized services, with the number of patients receiving virtual mental health treatment increasing 130-fold during the pandemic."

"With Rikers in crisis, Gov. Hochul to sign bill leading to release of hundreds," by New York Post's Bernadette Hogan and Mark Lungariello: " Gov. Kathy Hochul will sign a new bill on Friday that gives more leniency for parolees and could mean the release of inmates locked up on technical parole violations, a spokesperson told The Post. The signing of the 'Less is More' Act comes as Rikers Island faces an ongoing crisis — and while Republicans continue to slam the measure, which they say comes amid a rise in crime in New York's big cities. Hochul is planning to sign the act into law at her office in Manhattan at 10 a.m., joined by advocates."

#UpstateAmerica: Cave nudity is back starting Saturday! Strolling sans clothing among the the stalactites and stalagmites of Schoharie Valley's Howe Caverns is good for your body image, allegedly.

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FEELING '22

"NY Attorney General Letitia James held private talks about running for governor in wake of Cuomo resignation," by CNBC's Brian Schwartz: "New York Attorney General Letitia James has been talking with her advisors and supporters about potentially running for governor next year, according to people familiar with the matter. In the weeks since James' investigation into former Gov. Andrew Cuomo ended early last month, she and her political advisors have been testing the waters to see whether she would have the backing of previous donors and supporters if she opts against running for reelection and instead runs for governor. James' name recognition within the state and beyond has skyrocketed in recent years. In addition to her investigation into Cuomo, the attorney general's office has been probing the National Rifle Association and former President Donald Trump's company, the Trump Organization. James and her allies have been weighing the pros and cons of running in a Democratic primary for governor, some of these people added."

Max Rose plants the seeds for a return to Congress, by POLITICO's Olivia Beavers and Ally Mutnick: Max Rose is officially plotting a comeback bid. The Staten Island Democrat is preparing to launch a rematch as soon as this fall against GOP Rep. Nicole Malliotakis — and Rose may get a leg up, given the seat will likely become far more favorable in redistricting. It's a rare spot of optimism for House Democrats in the uphill battle to keep their majority. The 34-year old Army veteran was one of 13 House Democrats who fell to GOP challengers in the 2020 election, which was brutal for down-ballot candidates. Rose would be the second of those to formally declare another campaign, while half a dozen more continue to mull another run.

Biden and the Boroughs

"Undocumented Immigrant New Yorkers Shut Out of Federal Hurricane Ida Aid," by The City's Christine Chung, Josefa Velasquez, and Allison Dikanovic: " Two weeks after the remnants of Hurricane Ida tore through the city, killing 13 people, basements across the city are still drying out as many New Yorkers struggle to recover from the punishing storm. With millions of dollars in federal assistance now unlocked for the city, some households that saw rivers of rain and sewage pour in will have a lifeline to begin repairing and rebuilding. But that help isn't for everyone. Left out of Federal Emergency Management Agency aid are undocumented immigrants — many of whom live in the Queens neighborhoods that were pummeled hardest."

AROUND NEW YORK

— The "Fyre Festival of Pizza" organizer has been banned from organizing festivals in New York and must pay over $300,000 in restitution.

— New York state's unemployment rate fell from 7.6 to 7.4 percent between July and August.

— New York State will pay $12 million to settle one of several claims related to a Thruway crash caused by a state trooper on his cellphone.

— A state Supreme Court judge tossed IBM's claims that GlobalFoundries committed fraud but cleared the way for IBM's other breach-of-contract claims to move forward.

— The app-based delivery firm DoorDash filed a federal lawsuit against the city, claiming a new law requiring food delivery platforms to share customer data with restaurants violates their customers' privacy rights.

— The Grand Central Oyster Bar will have its delayed reopening next week.

— De Blasio blamed botched vendor negotiations for delays in launching a program to punish dangerous drivers.

— Bronxites celebrate the success of the community fridge in Mott Haven with a colorful sidewalk brunch.

— A hostess at Carmine's Restaurant was assaulted after asking three women to show proof of vaccination.

SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: David Litt … Don Baer of Brunswick Group … NBC's Henry Gomez … Sergio Rodriguera … Invariant's Morgan Gress Johnson … Marin Cogan … Courtney Laydon … Richard Wolffe … Deanna Rosenberg

OUT AND ABOUT — Bloomberg Businessweek hosted a book party for Max Chafkin's new book "The Contrarian: Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley's Pursuit of Power" at The Campbell Terrace in NYC on Thursday evening ($23.49 on Amazon). This week's issue of Businessweek features this excerpt as the cover story.

SPOTTED: Max Chafkin, Reto Gregori, Joel Weber, Jackie Simmons, Kristin Powers, Laura Zelenko, Christine Lagorio-Chafkin, David Kirkpatrick, Shawna Thomas, Sarah Ellison, Leigh Gallagher, Rimjhim Dey, Nathan Heller, Sheelah Kolhatkar, Mark Milian, Silvia Killingsworth, Patrick Garrigan, Stephanie Clifford, Bruce Headlam, Alexis Gay, Felix Salmon, Sam Ro, Jason Del Rey, Mindy Massucci, Kelly Jane Torrance, Dan Ferrara, Jim Aley, Nick Summers, Rebecca Greenfield, Molly Schuetz, Kerri Chyka, Felix Gillette, Gerry Smith, Cristina Alesci, Sameepa Shetty and Kiara Bhagwanjee.

REAL ESTATE

"'They Were Uninhabitable'—Ex-Landlords Leave Raft of Hazards at Former Bronx Cluster Sites," by City Limits' David Brand: "Tee Edwards had to pay the super $60 to install a lock on her front door the day she and her teenage daughter moved from a Manhattan shelter into a Bronx cluster site apartment. Three months later, the unit has been converted to permanent housing, but the clasp on the fire escape window is still broken and the hallway garbage continues to pile up, leaking juices onto the stairway landings. A floor below, Carcynthia Salisbury said she worries about the people who come in through the unlocked entrance and use drugs in the hallways. There's another problem, she said: Hurricane Ida poured torrents of water into the building, leading to a mildew stench behind the walls, she said."

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