Mayor Michael Bloomberg usually got his way while running this city.
He succeeded in mainstreaming policies once thought impossible: kicking cigarettes out of bars and restaurants; carving pedestrian space into Times Square and Herald Square; re-zoning large swaths of the city.
In the twilight of his administration, Bloomberg has been touting the gains in New Yorkers' health and pedestrian safety over the past 12 years, as well as the creation of new business hubs and more.
But there were times when New Yorkers, the courts or the state blocked Bloomberg’s ambitious plans.
Bruce Berg, a political science professor at Fordham University, said Bloomberg never let his policy setbacks jam up his vision for New York.
“I don't think he was affected, his administration was affected, by the failures,” Berg said. “They had other items of the agenda and when they lost something they just said ‘next.’”
Bloomberg spokesman Kamran Mumtaz said the mayor pushed “big, bold ideas” and that hizzoner was unafraid of failure.
The mayor’s willingness to “take on any challenge, and fearless approach, has led to a few swing and misses, but it’s also led to unmatched successes,” Mumtaz said.
These are some of the misses:
Out East Show: LI Aquarium, Patty's Berries and Bunches, Palmer Vineyards NewsdayTV's Doug Geed shows us some great spots 'Out East' to visit this summer.
Out East Show: LI Aquarium, Patty's Berries and Bunches, Palmer Vineyards NewsdayTV's Doug Geed shows us some great spots 'Out East' to visit this summer.
