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In Memoriam

By Hunter Walker 2/04 1:44pm

In Memoriam

Mayor Michael Bloomberg (Photo: Getty)

Mayor Bloomberg Eulogizes ‘Our Moses,’ Ed Koch

Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivered one of the eulogies at former Mayor Ed Koch’s funeral in Manhattan this morning and he praised his predecessor for an attitude “full of humor and chutzpah” that ”embodied the spirit of New York City” and made him “our City’s quintessential Mayor.” In his speech, Mayor Bloomberg also credited Koch with laying the foundation that allowed subsequent mayor’s to make the five boroughs “great again.” In a nod to the setting of the funeral, the Jewish Temple Emanu-El, Mr. Bloomberg compared Koch’s achievements to the story of Moses.

“I’ve been doing my biblical research, and I think it’s only fitting that this week’s Torah portion is about Moses leading the Jews out of bondage in Egypt. Now, Ed, in his own way, was our Moses. Just with a little less hair,” Mayor Bloomberg said. “He led us out of darkness and he gave us hope. And while he may not have parted the Red Sea, he did break a subway strike by standing on a bridge and shouting words of encouragement.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 2/01 10:20am

In Memoriam

edkoch cover

Outspoken Former Mayor Ed Koch on His Life and the City He Left Behind

Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch died earlier this morning at the age of 88 after being hospitalized for congestive heart disease. Mr. Koch served as the 105th Mayor of New York City for three terms from 1978 until 1989. With a larger-than-life personality, Mr. Koch relished a position that allowed him to become something of a national ambassador for New York City.

Though critics accused Mr. Koch of worsening racial tensions in the city and not doing enough to fight the AIDS crisis that was particularly devastating to the gay community, Mr. Koch was fiercely proud of  his legacy, specifically, what he saw as his efforts to save New York from the financial crisis of the late 1970′s, his vast expansion of public housing and programs and efforts he saw as bringing a more meritocratic approach to local government. Politicker conducted one of the final interviews with Mr. Koch on January 17, just two weeks before his death, and he characterized his administration as paving the way for his successors.

“I’m proud of what I did,” he said. “I also believe that both Giuliani and, particularly, Mike Bloomberg have made tremendous contributions to this city. … And I look upon what I did as laying the groundwork and the foundation on which they could build, and without what I did, they couldn’t have done what they did. So, I’m proud of my contributions.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 3/06/12 4:03pm

In Memoriam

Mourner Jeffrey Wendt wearing his "Breitbart Is Here" button at Sanctuary last night. (Photo: Hunter Walker)

What Would Breitbart Do?: Manhattan Conservatives Mourn Fallen Firebrand

“I want you to understand something. We lost Patton, we lost Patton on the beaches of Normandy and it is incumbent upon you to take up that mantle and to be fearless!” said the author and activist Pamela Geller.

Standing on on the bar of the Hell’s Kitchen lushing crib Sanctuary Monday evening, Ms. Geller was eulogizing right-wing firebrand Andrew Breitbart, who died suddenly last week at the age of 43.

Members of Manhattan’s small conservative media community gathered to mourn the late Mr. Breitbart, a bombthrower who relished fighting back against what he perceived as a liberal-dominated political press corps. The orotund provocateur made his name with outrageous, often humorous rhetoric and hard-hitting exposés, including publishing a series of undercover videos that led to the closure of ACORN and a cache of lewd photos and internet messages that brought down Democratic Congressman Anthony Weiner. Read More

By Azi Paybarah 7/05/11 3:04pm

In Memoriam

Fred Newman

Remembering Fred Newman

A controversial leader within the New York City Independence Party — whose ballot line provided the margin of victory to Mayor Bloomberg’s last two re-election campaigns — passed away today Sunday, his aides confirmed.

He was 76.

Newman’s brand of psychotherapy was critically examined by a number of outlets including NY1, who, in 2007, suggested he approved of therapists having sex with their patients. His critics referred to him as a “cult leader.”

His supporters, obviously, saw him differently. Read More

By Azi Paybarah 4/29/11 11:29am

In Memoriam

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Remembering Hope Reichbach

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz is mourning the death of 22-year-old City Council aide Hope Reichbach, who was found dead in her apartment yesterday afternoon.

“All of Brooklyn’s thoughts and prayers are with Hope’s parents, Judge Gustin Reichbach and Ellen Meyers, her friends, and of course, my condolences to Councilman Levin and his staff. Here Read More