Mayor's Pol Pick Stiffs Giff
By FRANKIE EDOZIEN
October 11, 2003 -- Mayor Bloomberg dissed one of his key allies yesterday - City Council Speaker Gifford Miller - by endorsing Miller's Republican challenger.
The mayor's move infuriated aides to Miller (D-Manhattan), who had helped Bloomberg pass the 18.5 percent property tax hike, as well as other key measures.
Miller's spokesman, Chris Policano, said, "Given that [the mayor] is less popular than Gray Davis, we're not terribly concerned."
Bloomberg endorsed Miller's long-shot GOP opponent in next month's elections despite having said earlier this year he would support those council members who stood with him on the tax hike regardless of their political affiliation.
Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Queens) fumed about Bloomberg, "He's stabbing Gifford Miller in the back today and I don't know why."
Bloomberg stood on the steps of City Hall with Miller's opponent, Jennifer Arangio.
"The sun is coming out right now on a very promising candidate," Bloomberg said. "I don't know if there is somebody running against her or not, but she's a Republican."
Although the mayor praised Arangio as fiscally responsible, she said about the property tax hike: "I probably would have worked very, very hard to see if there were other alternatives. I have to go."
Joining the mayor was Philip Ragusa, the Republican candidate for a Queens council seat held by Tony Avella, one of three Democrats who voted against the property tax hike.
Ragusa promptly broke with Bloomberg, saying he wouldn't have voted for the tax hike or the smoking ban.
Posted by admin at October 11, 2003 12:00 AM
