Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has pledged that one of his 'first acts' as the city's chief executive would be to get Central Park's carriage horses off the streets, David Seifman reports.
"I would ban the horse carriages in Central Park within the first week on the job," de Blasio told a midtown forum Tuesday night sponsored by several Democratic progressive groups.
"I think it's horrible what happens to the horses. I think it's unnecessary and doesn't do anything for our economy, much to the chagrin of the mayor who thinks it's at the center of our tourism economy."
Bill Thompson is also on deBlasio's side. While Sal Albanese is taking the bridal path down the middle.
"There are legitimate concerns on both sides here," he said. "The animals deserve humane care and the drivers deserve job security."
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, however, has resisted insistent demands by animal rights activists to replace the horses with antique motor cars. A Quinn spokesman said her position hasn't changed -- she wants as many protections as possible for the horses, but won't support putting them out to pasture.
After years of the Bloomberg/Quinn administrations, both of whom treated the plights of animals in New York City with callous indifference and even scorn, finally a candidate for Gracie Mansion who has compassion. Articulate, progressive, caring and the above mentioned compassion - all qualities that make Bill; de Blasio the choice for next mayor of New York City.
ReplyDeleteEight years of the corrupt, deceitful, duplicitous Christine Quinn, hand puppet of the real estate undustry, would be a disaster for this city.
Quinn has voted against every piece of meaningful legislation that would help any animal, particularly the carriage horses. It is a disgrace. If de Blasio promises to ban the carriage horses and send them to sanctuary, he has my vote!
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