Open Letter to New Yorkers from Norman

Submitted by Webmaster on Tue, 03/03/2009 - 10:24am

Dear Fellow New Yorker,

The last six months have been an exceptionally painful period for New Yorkers. The proprietors of restaurants I frequent tell me their business is down 10%. My grocery store owner tells me his business is down 25% and that he has never seen anything like this. Recently, a businessman told me that his retail businesses are down 40%. At lunch last week, a fellow New Yorker marveled that when he visited Bloomingdales to buy something, the salespeople thanked him profusely. In my neighborhood, storefronts displaying "For Rent" signs abound. The downturn in our economy has hit and it has hit hard.

The Public Advocate's Office can play an important role in ameliorating this unfortunate dynamic. The Public Advocate can provide visible leadership by addressing the effects of the economic decline in a forthright manner. The Public Advocate can hold town hall meetings throughout the city to explain what's happening, why it is happening and most important, what the City can and should do in response to the problem. The Public Advocate can put together a first rate Commission on the economy whose mandate would be to make recommendations, short and long term. A Public Advocate who spotlights the problems and advocates for solutions would send a strong message to all New Yorkers that the City Government cares about people's economic pain and fears, and is prepared to address the problem.

It is time to recognize that what we are going through now differs from previous recessions and short term economic downturns. It is time to come together as a united City that is willing to explore new ways to provide government services to New Yorkers, in a period of reduced income. It will not be easy but New Yorkers have never shied away from big challenges. We have always been our best in hard times and we will prevail in 2009-2010.

Join with me as we begin our robust dialogue about the role of City Government and the Public Advocate's Office in hard economic times.

Thank you.

Norman Siegel