Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/nyc1cmpbloomberg062309.html
UNITED NATIONS, June 23 -- Mike Bloomberg, mayor of the UN's host city, was diplomatic on Tuesday when asked by the Press about complaints surrounding the repair of the UN's buildings, including asbestos removal next to captive employees and use of plastic PVC piping. "That's not easy," Bloomberg said, but "if the UN uses good New York City contractors I'm sure that the workmanship will be stellar."
As Inner City Press has reported, UN general contractor Skanska is the subject of live litigation in California for its asbestos removal practices. In the UN's third sub-basement, there is sewage plumbing of white PVC plastic. UN Capital Master Plan chief Michael Adlerstein says that fine because they are temporary. But they are not connected to the sewers but rather collect in septic tanks.
Bloomberg continued, "you've got to remember UN is by law a separate entity, we can only provide advice." What is the City's advice about the PVC pipes and septic tanks? Bloomberg referred to his sister, the City's liaison with the UN. What does she have to say about this, or the now-broken fire doors that she had required?
After UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon left the event, about a climate change week in September, Bloomberg was more direct. He acknowledged that the City has barred its public school students from entering the UN due to lack of safety. He was asked if that's why the joint event with Ban, in part about a UN day on climate change on September 22, was not held in the UN but outside it. Bloomberg joked about the weather -- the first day in a week it hasn't rained -- but the question lingered in the humid air.
Inner City Press also asked for Bloomberg's comments and suggestions for the UN on events in Iran. This, Bloomberg diplomatically dodged, saying, "I'd leave the international scene to the Secretary General." Some wonder how well that's working out. Click here for Inner City Press June 18 debate on that.
Bloomberg also essentially dodged or declined to answer Inner City Press' question for his view of President Barack Obama's financial reform plan, announced last week, including the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency.
Bloomberg said it was not for him to comment, he lacks information and leaves it to the person "in the ring." But how would the plan impact the economy of New York City?
Finally, about the micro-economy of the South Bronx, Inner City Press asked Bloomberg to respond to criticism that the City-subsidized new Yankee Stadium has not helped local small businesses but rather hurt them, as affluent game goers bypass River Avenue for the franchises in the Stadium compound, from Hard Rock Cafe to official Yankee merchandise.
Bloomberg said that some merchants have to change inventory. How that will play on 161st Street remains to be scene. Watch this site.
Footnote: the event, by the Climate Group and the Carbon Disclosure Project, featured a backdrop with logos including Swiss Re. From the podium, HSBC Bank was also thanked for unspecified partnership.
HSBC is in fact under fire for funding rainforest destruction in Indonesia, and more recently blithely gushing about investment prospective in Sri Lanka, which is under criticism for killing and interning Tamil civilians and detaining UN staff. HSBC's logo was not on the banner, nor in the June 23 press release. Perhaps they put their cash on the barrel right at the last minute?
