Mayor Bloomberg, in his never-ending crusade to turn NYC smoke-free, is looking into banning smoking at all Big Apple beaches and parks. The health of kids figures prominently in his argument. Bloomberg’s health commissioner, Thomas Farley, said “We don’t think it’s too far to say that people shouldn’t be smoking in parks, and to try to protect our children from getting addicted to tobacco.”
Like Bloomberg, I’m a former tobacco head who now absolutely loathes the stuff. I’m always incensed when folks (sometimes even parents) light up in or right outside the playground where my daughter is playing (which is illegal by the way). Just the other day I tried Antonia Kidd’s tactic of shaming a smoker into stomping out her butt. Didn’t work. That said, I don’t personally have a problem with people smoking in public areas that aren’t specifically geared toward children. As much as I hate the smell (not to mention the potential risk), I strongly believe in personal rights, and I think Bloomberg’s proposed ban is unfair, not to mention unenforceable. Smokers are people too!
The Mayor faces a major battle, and I suspect it won’t pass, although it might. Other states including Utah, Louisiana, Maine and California have enacted similar bans. Frankly, if we’re going to ban something smoking related, how about those seriously disturbing anti-smoking commercials? (The one with the lady missing fingers just kills me!) They’re just nasty (which, I guess, is the point).
What do you think about the Mayor’s plans? Do you support a park and beach-wide ban, or do you think smokers should get a pass?
No matter how you feel about Bloomberg and the DOE, I suspect it will come as (an admittedly small) relief that Bloomberg is once again in charge of New York City public schools. After weeks of uncertainty, and the sudden reconstitution of the Board of Ed, a deal was just reached that extends the mayor’s control over public education.
Perhaps “relief” is not the word I’m looking for. It’s just nice to know that someone’s in charge…even if that person seems to value test scores over actual kids.
My daughter will enter the public school system next year in East Harlem, so I have to be honest, aside from what I’ve read and heard about Bloomberg’s tenure from my fellow parents, I don’t have firsthand knowledge of how great/god-awful the schools are, and I’m sure it differs from district to district, school to school.
So parents with public school kids, what do you think? Is this the outcome you were praying for? Did you hope that this would shake things up and pave the way for change? Or was Bloomberg’s success so inevitable that you’re just shrugging right now?
By now I’m sure every NYC parent with a kid in public school is aware that, due to the snafu in Albany, the Board of Ed has been resurrected with Joel I. Klein as chancellor. But it sounds like it may not last for long: According to the NY Times, the board voted, 6-0, to call on Albany to renew the mayor’s control of the city’s schools. One of Bloomberg’s cronies opened the meeting with the following statement: “We need to ensure that as a result of the inaction in Albany, we protect the students and schools of New York City from any chaos and allow them to continue to function.” Those of us who went through the convoluted pre-K lottery process this year know how laughable that statement is. (And, as my mommy friends with kids who tried to get into middle-school this year tell me, what I went through was a cakewalk). The public wasn’t allowed to give feedback at the end of the meeting, and the board adjourned until Sept. 10. So, fellow public-school parents, what do you think? Will you be freaking out all summer, or just wait calmly (ha!) to see how this shakes down?
No, we’re not talking about Junior’s dirty diaper. We’re talking about that weird syrupy odor that’s been wafting through the city that makes you feel like you have an Eggo waffle affixed to your face. You’ve probably noticed it on and off for awhile now, and today Bloomberg finally addressed its cause. Apparently, it’s emanating from “facilities in New Jersey that process food additives and fragrances.” Specifically, a company called Frutarom. The place isn’t violating any rules or regs, so the syrupy smell may stick around for a while–no pun intended. It’s always Jersey’s fault, isn’t it?
