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Avoid a conflict of interest

Concerning “de Blasio declares for mayor” (Courier, January 31), New York City will have a $70 billion budget in fiscal year 2014. This is greater than most states and many nations.

De Blasio has never built a business, created jobs, met a payroll, balanced a multibillion dollar budget or managed any significant agencies with large numbers of employees. His ego, just like those of his predecessors Mark Green and Betsy Gotbaum, is attempting to use the office of public advocate as a stepping stone to run for mayor. He has no real qualifications for the second toughest job in America.

Now that he has finally come out and declared his candidacy, de Blasio should avoid the appearance of any conflict of interest by resigning as public advocate today. He should end the charade and be honest enough to run full time for mayor on his own time and dime. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Comptroller John Liu should do the same.

Larry Penner