I have to admit, I don’t mind when an incumbent is challenged. To me, a strong democracy means that office holders, every now and then, get challenged. However, I also believe the races should be clean, honest and that one candidate should not try and “buy” the office.
That brings me to one local race: State Senate, Connor and Squadron. But first let’s travel back two years. In 2006 Connor faced Ken Diamondstone. I’ve known Ken for years. What I didn’t know and didn’t expect was a nasty race from Ken from day one. When I ran for office many years ago, against an incumbent, I ran a positive race about ideas. I talked about what I was going to do. Ken veered off that road to a great extent. And that brings me to Dan Squadron. His campaign, thankfully, isn’t too nasty - yet. But the truth has taken a back seat. Squadron has said “For years, Senator Connor has failed to muster the funds and political will to get Brooklyn Bridge Park built. He has had ample opportunity to display leadership that delivers results and has not done soâ€
That is simply not true. You can disagree with where Marty Connor stands on an issue, but to say something that is just false is not cool (or words to that effect).
In 2002 when the park was announced (again) Marty Connor said this “Today is the real beginning of the realization of a dream pursued by Brooklyn’s waterfront neighborhoods. This dream coalesced from the cooperative work of community residents and their elected officials. The result will be a magnificent world-class park that will be enjoyed by generations.”
In 2000 the Port Authority wrote this “BBPDC’s 15-member Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from various neighborhood organizations in communities along the waterfront, as well as the area’s elected officials - Borough President Howard Golden, Representatives Ed Towns and Nydia Velazquez, State Senator Martin Connor, State Assemblywoman Joan Millman, and City Councilman Ken Fisher.” Marty wasn’t a no show, he worked for the park and I happen to know (because he told me and a lot of the people) that it’s important to him. He once told me that he really looked forward to going down to the park after he retired and fishing there. I know that sounds corny, but he meant it. He also told me that at a meeting several years ago one of his sons showed up. He wasn’t expecting to see him there and asked him why he had come. His son said that they were removing something in the park that he and his friends wanted and he was there (with his friends) to fight for getting it back.
Squardon has come out and stated clearly that he is against apartments in Brooklyn Bridge Park. That’s good news. But it makes me wonder why people like Anthony Weiner and Mike Bloomberg have endorsed him. They are on the record as having no problem with apartments in the park. And then there’s the Atlantic Yards project. I don’t know where Dan Squadron stands on the Atlantic Yards Project (I’ve heard through the grapevine that he is against the project). But when I searched I couldn’t find anything on his web site. We know where his supporters stand. Weiner, Bloomberg and Schumer are for it. So what are we to think? Do they know something we don’t know? And then there’s the NY Times Endorsement for Squadron. They’re also pro Atlantic Yards and also don’t seem to have a problem with apartments in a public park. Then again, they endorsed Ken Diamondstone two years ago. So maybe they aren’t so much for Squadron as they are against Connor.
For the record, Marty Connor has managed to get $87 million allocated for Brooklyn Bridge Park. You can argue that it’s not enough, but you can’t say he didn’t do it.
Sqaudron’s latest mailing is another cheap shot. It’s a recycled mailing from Ken Diamondstone about cigarette money. The last time Connor took money from tobacco was 7 years ago. Squadron says Connor took $11,375. It was actually one check for $600. Connor says he asked that it be returned and it wasn’t. I don’t know if that part is true or not, but it doesn’t matter at this point. What does matter is that Squadron knows that (and if he doesn’t he should), but obviously he doesn’t care if he misleads the voters. He also goes on to say (write actually) that Connor voted on the side of big tobacco. But Connor said on the Senate floor that the reason he was voting against the tobacco bill was because he wanted a total ban on tobacco sales in New York.
A few weeks ago I ran into Dan Squardon outside my apartment. He was out campaigning. We chatted for a few minutes and the last thing he said to me was “Thankfully it hasn’t gotten ugly yet”. Little did I know that he would be the one to make it ugly in his next few mailings. Those mailings are dishonest and misleading. Others can disagree, but that’s not the guy I want representing me in Albany. If you can’t run a clean and honest campaign, find something else to do for a living.