Two Thumbs Up for Advocate Candidate Rasiej
We try not to get too political around here, but our subject matter does end up being inextricably intertwined with local politics. So it was with interest that we attended an event hosted in Clinton Hill last night to introduce one of the three candidates for Public Advocate, Andrew Rasiej. The foundation of Rasiej’s platform,…
We try not to get too political around here, but our subject matter does end up being inextricably intertwined with local politics. So it was with interest that we attended an event hosted in Clinton Hill last night to introduce one of the three candidates for Public Advocate, Andrew Rasiej. The foundation of Rasiej’s platform, and for much of his business and public service success over the past decade, is technology. After a successful stint as the founder of Irving Plaza and the web site eMusicLive, Rasiej founded the non-profit MOUSE (Making Opportunities for Upgrading Schools and Education) which is currently supporting 89,000 students and 6,000 teachers/administrators in 100 schools while saving the city over $1.2 million per year. His call for citywide wireless internet access is part of a larger emphasis on ensuring greater transparency in the local political process. (Bloomberg’s strong-arming of the Ratner proposal had Rasiej particularly miffed.) He also sees technology as key to addressing many issues of public safety, which we couldn’t agree with more. Anyway, we thought he was an extremely impressive, no-b.s. guy who is much more likely to make the office of Public Advocate a meaningful position in New York City government. After all, how many of you can name one thing Betsy Gotbaum has done for you lately?
The Story [Advocates for Rasiej]
Thomas Friedman mentions Raseij in his column today. Not a bad person to be in your corner!
I’m happy to see this kind of info/discussion on brownstoner. . .very helpful.
Jim Lesczynski (www.lesczynski.com) gets my vote.
I particularly like his intentions:
“1. Eliminate the position of Public Advocate. Want to save the taxpayers of New York City millions of wasted tax dollars every year? Simply eliminate the position of Public Advocate, fire the staff, and board up the offices. The Public Advocate is a $150,000-a-year do-nothing job that was designed to give empty suits like Mark Green and Betsy Gotbaum a place to grandstand. It’s a vestige of the old city charter, evolved from the former position of City Council President. The Public Advocate used to be next in line to succeed the mayor, but in 2002 voters amended the charter to mandate a special election within 60 days of the mayor’s incapacity. Now the Public Advocate is little more than a figurehead, a poor man’s Queen of England. If I am elected Public Advocate, I promise to report to work just long enough to fire the staff and padlock the office.”
I’m sure Mr. Raseij is a fine fellow.
Please look into another candidate: Norman Siegel
We like his progressive politics. He has a long career as an ACLU lawyer. He opposes abuses of eminent domain.
http://www.norman2005.com/