By Ross Barkan 5/07 12:30pm

Apples to Apples

John Catsimatidis holds court outside City Hall.

John Catsimatidis Says ‘Ugh’ to Unflattering Gristedes Coverage

John Catsimatidis was not too pleased when he opened up today’s New York Times to read about his reportedly embattled supermarket chain, Gristedes, which it dubbed the “unloved uncle of the New York City grocery scene.”

“I’d say ‘ugh.’ I’d say ‘ugh,’” the billionaire Republican candidate for mayor replied when Politicker asked him about his reaction to the piece, which detailed how the grocery chain has been struggling financially and targeted by several class action lawsuits.

He elaborated by comparing his relationship with Gristedes, which launched his successful business career, to a wife who doesn’t like her name. Read More

By Ross Barkan 5/07 9:03am

Neigh-Saying

Mayoral candidates clash at an animal rights forum yesterday.

Plenty of Bark and Bite at Animal Rights Mayoral Forum

The candidates for mayor of New York City made their pitch to animal lovers yesterday, and needless to say, they repeatedly professed their love for various species that don’t have a vote.

Republican John Catsimatidis–who likes to call himself “the cat man”–once begged the fire department to rescue his daughter’s cockatiel, for example. Bill Thompson claimed that he had not one, but two rescued cats. And Sal Albanese insisted his mother-in-law lived a few years longer because of a chihuahua named Joey. Read More

By Jill Colvin 5/03 11:54am

99 Problems

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Robert Morgenthau. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Mayor Bloomberg Wants the Law to Stop Interfering With His Plans

Mayor Michael Bloomberg railed against the court system Friday, blaming lawsuits for railroading his agenda in his final term.

“We’ve got to do something about our court system. Because they just stop everything,” Mr. Bloomberg lamented during his weekly radio interview Friday morning with WOR’s John Gambling.

Mr. Gambling chimed in in agreement: “Everything gets stopped–everything the city does.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 5/03 10:10am

Looking Forward

Christine Quinn (Photo: Getty)

Mayor Bloomberg Continues His Staunch Christine Quinn Defense

Only days after railing against the entire slate of Democratic mayoral candidates for playing politics with people’s lives–a big failing, he suggested, as public safety is “the most important job of any mayor, period”–Mayor Michael Bloomberg heaped heavy praise on one of those would-be successors.

“Chris Quinn has done a very good job as speaker,” Mr. Bloomberg declared during his weekly WOR radio show this morning. “Whether you’re going to vote for her or not, she has been a very good speaker. The city has been very well served by her. I don’t think that she gets enough credit for it.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 5/02 7:29pm

FOILed

Cathie Black. (Photo: Wikimedia)

Cathie Black Emails Released

Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration suffered a blow today with the release of emails surrounding the selection process of Cathie Black, the one-time schools chancellor who was forced to resign in 2011, after just 95 days in office. Ms. Black, who had no prior educational experience, drew widespread controversy amid a number of missteps. The city fought an extended, unsuccessful legal battle to keep the emails from being subject to a Freedom of Information Law request.

Overall, they detail the city’s public relations efforts to improve Ms. Black’s brand, including outreach to leading female figures like Caroline Kennedy for support. Additionally, the emails reveal debates over how much information about Ms. Black should be provided to reporters. Read More

By Colin Campbell 5/02 6:27pm

Reactions

John Liu. (Photo: Facebook)

John Liu ‘Deeply Saddened’ by Guilty Verdicts but Vows to Soldier On

Comptroller John Liu said he’s saddened by the guilty verdict this afternoon against two of his former associates–a one-time campaign treasurer for his mayoral bid and a former donor–but he insisted it’s not going to slow him down.

“I am deeply saddened by the verdict. I continue to believe in Jenny being a good person and exceptional individual,” he said in a statement released by his campaign, referring to Jia “Jenny” Hou, his former aide. Read More

By Colin Campbell and Jill Colvin 5/02 5:19pm

Breaking

John Liu. (Photo: Getty)

John Liu’s Former Aide and Donor Found Guilty in Federal Court

Comptroller John Liu’s mayoral campaign took a significant hit this afternoon when a donor, Xing Wu “Oliver” Pan, and his young former campaign treasurer Jia “Jenny” Hou, were found guilty in federal court for helping to orchestrate a straw donor scheme on his behalf.

“As the jury found, Jia Hou and Oliver Pan stuck a knife into the heart of New York City’s campaign finance law by violating the prohibition against illegal campaign contributions, all to corruptly advantage the campaign of a candidate for city-wide office,” U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement. “Cases like this give the people of New York yet another reason to be troubled by the electoral process, and they have a right to demand fair, open, and honest elections untainted by cynical subversion of campaign finance laws.”

Read More

By Colin Campbell 5/02 1:18pm

Tributes

Video

A scene from the video. (Photo: YouTube)

New ‘Giant Margaritas’ Hip-Hop Song Blasts Bloomberg’s Soda Rules

Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s regulations against large soda cups in restaurants may have been blocked by the courts, but local hip-hop artist Awkwafina is putting him on notice anyway.

“Hey Mayor Mike Bloomberg, help me understand!” she declares in a video released today. “Our giant margaritas are going to get banned. Are going to get banned … Please don’t take my freedom, my giant margarita.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 5/02 1:03pm

Nicknames

Today's press conference.

‘Guillermo William Billy Thompson’ Battles for Bronx Votes

As the four biggest Democratic mayoral campaigns push against one another for every voter in the five boroughs, their focus has often turned to the Bronx, home to constituencies that none of them can lay natural claim to.

And, earlier today, former Comptroller Bill Thompson was the latest to announce Bronx officials’ endorsements in the form of Congressman José Serrano and his son, State Senator José Serrano. The duo labeled Mr. Thompson a “coalition builder” who can reach out to their heavily Hispanic communities. Read More