Friday, November 13, 2009

Rumors

In politics, an absurdity is not a handicap.
-- Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821)

Apparently, District Leader David Reck and Linda Belfer along with Bill Love have circulated a memo stating that they intend to form a new political club downtown. Politicians take note. The memo, written ostensibly by Bill Love, states:

“Our new club will have instant credibility with elected officials and other political leaders for several reasons, not the least of which will be the caliber of the people involved, such as you.”

The real reason for this foray is a certain degree of animosity between Reck and D.I.D. President Sean Sweeney, which has evolved over the last couple of years. Neither are low-key individuals and both have supporters as well as detractors among politicians and residents.
The boiling point seems to have been reached during an alleged attempt to pack the club by Reck associates last year – in order to remove Sweeney as President. It was believed that Julie Menin, Chair of Community Board 1, supported this move.

Starting a political club is not all that difficult. It just takes an enormous amount of time, energy and money. Unless, of course, the effort is being bankrolled by others. Maintaining a level of respect, developing a history and managing to be taken seriously by political candidates are the hard part. The notion of “instant credibility,” is a dubious one.
Of course, there is some question as to the validity of political clubs, in general. But, that’s another issue.
Reck is smart and works hard – especially, at petitioning.

Anger management is his Achilles Heel.




No doubt, this decision is due to frustration over Sweeney’s near-impenetrable Presidency at D.I.D. But, strong leaders manage political structures with sometimes-controversial personalities. That applies as much to Sweeney as it does to Reck.
This will play out in one of two ways, however:
D.I.D. might be weakened by a Reck and Belfer departure or, D.I.D. will become stronger as the people who are dissatisfied leave. Betting favors the latter.


It was today reported that Trump SoHo has entered foreclosure. This could not be confirmed but a Community Board member was reported to be the source of this rumor. SoHo Alliance Executive Director, Sean Sweeney who leads a group suing over the project was not aware of this rumor and could not confirm it. So, no dancing in the streets at this point, folks, since it is difficult to tell whether this is wishful thinking for residents of SoHo, or, is indeed a fact.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who packed D.I.D.? And what, exactly, did the club accomplish? Duplicity and a whole bunch of political distrust.

You are right, time will tell.

Anonymous said...

linda belfer never did a thing for the DID or any part of lower manhattan except her pain in the butt gate way plaza why all these imbicles politicos kiss up to her is beyond many peoples comprehension she is and always has been a nasty sob and you cant find one person who can say they were helped by her .her district leadership was the most wasteful scam ever done by the politicains. re david reck he did a lot of good dont know why he fliped out the handwriting was on the wall re gerson and he should have followed. sean has tried hard re the club you dont replace a president who is doing a good job not many people rerally want the job of pres. they just want the title.