A Race for the Lifeline of New York

As New Yorker’s race for a lifeline of survival in these prevalent times, only a miracle can help them dig New York of the hell hole that it fell in. Since 2014, the start of a mayoral win by Bill DeBlasio, the citizens of New York are left standing out in the field hoping DeBlasio would have kept the city running at the pace of former mayor Michael Bloomberg, or at least have hit one home run. Unfortunately, New Yorkers have stood down in the dugout going from one disappointment to another, in a limbo state of mind, only to awaken to the nightmare of the coronavirus which killed more than 52,000 people in the city.

The Current State of New York

New York faced an unemployment rate of 7.8% in April 2021, a decrease from 16.2 % in April 2020. As said by Governor Cuomo in October 2020, New York has seen mass evictions, surging rates of gun violence, burglaries, and a 50 multibillion-dollar funding gap. New Yorkers stood on the sidelines waving by the exodus of more than 300,000 residents leaving the city looking for a safer place to call home.

He managed to deliver,  such as the establishment of state-wide pre-k, expanded the paid sick leave, and the controversial $15 minimum wage increase. His reputation leans left, often disregarding the fact that his city is much more moderate than many would think. His progressive ambitions sent the city in a backward spiral. Unfortunately for him, he has not received accolades from either side, receiving many ethics complaints and driving the division of police and racial inequality.

Hopeful candidates for the Mayoral Race

As a New Yorker and a former Deputy Campaign Manager for the Conservative candidate, Erick Salgado in the 2013 Mayoral Race, this was unsurprising. We tried to warn our voters of what was to come in the next few years under a DeBlasio rulership, now we can attest to the unfavorable changes in the city. We must rethink politics and stop the political games. The politics of New York must aim to establish effective social systems and seek to protect law and order, along with promoting peace and justice. However, to build those bridges and achieve these ideal politics, there must be a 180 degrees turn. This starts with leveraging with those who reach across party lines and pursue good. These individuals are the last healthy lifeline for all New Yorkers.

According to a Bloomberg article on May 6, one bridge builder in Brooklyn’s Borough President, Eric Adams, and mayoral candidate, who is presently polling second among potential voters. Adams opposes the “defund the police” movement. As a former cop and the closest to a Conservative candidate on the Democratic line, Adams understands that due to the increase in crime it is imperative to keep the budget from additional cuts. He also would like to revive a plainclothes anti-crime task force that was canceled about a year ago, after several civilian complaints for cases of some bad police.

“I have been fighting for police reform and safer streets for decades, and I have never been in a neighborhood meeting in a high-crime community of color where someone has asked for fewer police,” Adams said in an emailed statement. “That is why I have been against the defund movement from the start.”

Curtis Sliwa, a Republican is also worth mentioning. A lifelong service worker for the city of New York. These days, he continues his outreach with the Guardian Angels, with chapters in thirteen countries and over one hundred cities. While the classic street patrols are the lifeblood of the organization, we all know that reaching the youth in our neighborhoods, especially those most at risk, is crucial.

There is a call for Republicans to step up, yet there aren’t many allowed at the table, leading many to believe that the main interest and goal of this mayoral run, is not the wellbeing of its citizens.

Hopes are high to have the best candidate win and change New York City back to the days of former Republican Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, who was in office from 1994 to 2001. Giuliani set a record low of crime rates with the help of police departments and other officials. These organizations lead with a strong hand against activities that led to social disorder, sex clubs, loitering, addicts, panhandlers, and more.

Giuliani’s strong ethics brought back family values and entertainment to NYC’s Times Square, promoting the area’s focus back to entertainment, business, theatre, and the arts. His son, Andrew Giuliani, recently announced that he is officially running for Governor of the state of New York, in 2022. This will be a campaign to look out for. If he can do for New York State, at least half of what his father did for the city, we will be in a much better place. Most importantly, our officers in blue, as well as our citizens who will once again feel safe to simply walk down NYC or in tourist attractions. We must strive to reinstate a lifeline in this great city for the well-being of all New Yorkers and those citizens who still come to work in our borders.

Governor Cuomo’s Response

Our present Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to plan to run for re-election next year. However, this time around he could this may not be a guaranteed win after having been inundated by calls to resign in recent months after several scandals. Those include a federal investigation into whether his administration intentionally miscounted Covid 19 nursing home deaths and allegations from several women that he sexually harassed them. More so, we should mention that his relationship with the NYPD has not positive.

In response Governor Cuomo said. “At this critical time for the relationship between police and the communities they serve across the state, I am proud that we are implementing this program as police agencies state-wide do the important work of reimagining their work and repairing trust in the criminal justice system. This step is part of a progressive package of reforms that will increase transparency in policing and accountability among all law enforcement agencies state-wide, and we look forward to continuing this important work in the future.”

Many questions increase surrounded on police accountability. Punishments have decreased, and fines and laws against criminals has allowed criminals to walk away without the consequences of bail or even time behind bars. This shows that an increase of crime is evidence in showing that the system has failed.

While this wave of negative circumstances passes by, perhaps the change of a new mayor, new officials, new leadership positive change will occur. We will elect those who genuinely care for the wellbeing of all New Yorkers and who can work with our federal government, no matter which party sits at head of the table to we reach across the aisle until the tables turn in our favor.