Sometimes a gift-wrapped package does not contain a gift. A case in point is Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio, who ran on a ticket espousing the needs of the little people, distinguishing himself from the Bloomberg administration.
But even before being sworn in as mayor, he indicated it would not be a bad idea to allow a Major League Soccer stadium in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in return for contribution money to be used for the park. In short, it is OK to sell public parkland to a private, for-profit business interest.
He also seems to support decimating the beautiful area south of Grand Central Station with huge high-rise structures. It would appear the real estate moguls who have been running this city for decades, often with their pockets lined with enormous city subsidies, will have nothing to fear from a de Blasio administration.
A politician’s best friend is an apathetic public.
Benjamin Haber
Flushing
