Winners & Losers
This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Who’s up and who’s down this week?
We can all agree: New York City Mayor Eric Adams has a lot on his plate. Speaking of plates, pancakes. Speaking of pancakes, did you know Kansas is actually flatter than a pancake? Speaking of Kansas being flat, is that Kansas’ brand? Speaking of Kansas’ brand, is the mayor ever going to stop insulting the Midwest? It’s great that he has so much love and pride in New York City though! After all, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.
Patrick Ryder -
Maybe New York City should take a page out of Nassau County’s book when it comes to policing. Astonishingly, out of nearly 150 civilian complaints of excessive force or wrongful arrest, the Nassau Police Department’s internal affairs didn’t substantiate a single one. Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder must just run a very tight ship and citizens simply didn’t know what they were reporting. Never mind the fact that dozens of the so-called “unfounded” incidents went to court and ended with judges ruling against police over their actions. Ryder’s people clearly must have been in the right in each of the 150 instances.
Julie Menin, Jennifer Gutiérrez and Crystal Hudson -
It’s no coincidence that the first majority female New York City Council – and the first to have a mother as its leader – is passing legislation with a goal of easing burdens on working mothers, and all parents. Council Members Julie Menin, Jennifer Gutiérrez and Crystal Hudson served as sponsors on a package of bills passed this week that aims to expand affordable and accessible child care with a new grant pilot program, among other things.
Ashwin Vasan -
Good news, thanks to New York City and community-based vaccination efforts, Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan reported that the five boroughs have "turned a corner" in the battle against monkeypox. Months after declaring a public health emergency, the Department of Health found a significant decrease in cases highlighting the value of rapid response efforts. Despite these successes, Vasan warned that the public health battle doesn't stop here – polio, flu and COVID-19 still loom over New Yorkers' heads this winter.
Rabbi Joseph Doppelt -
As principal of a Brooklyn yeshiva for about 500 boys, Rabbi Joseph Doppelt was obligated by the Department of Education to be providing students with a basic education in English and math, the same way public schools do. That was until state officials made the unprecedented move to flag the yeshiva for not being in compliance – a move that could impact Hasidic yeshivas that have resisted secular oversight. The rabbi might see himself reporting to the principal’s office on this one pretty soon.
Anthony D’Esposito -
The Daily News recently uncovered that despite being the “law and order” candidate, retired NYPD cop and GOP Congressional candidate for Nassau County Anthony D’ Esposito had his own share of trouble following the rules. The News reported that he was disciplined by the NYPD in 2015 when his police-issued firearm was left unattended in his vehicle and stolen. In an even wackier 2007 incident, he was penalized for moonlighting as a DJ without “permission.” Apparently law and order comes second to throwing down a good mix.
Diana Richardson -
If you’re looking for a cushy gig in government, deputy borough president is the place to be. All the ribbon cuttings, none of the pressure. It takes a lot to screw up that job, but the former Brooklyn Assembly member found a way, and was fired for, as the Daily News reported, generally being a horrible employee. And that’s after she failed to get her preferred successor elected – AND failed to stop archrival Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn’s reelection as county leader.