NY Observer > Ray Kelly

Punishing Property Owners

Observer Staff — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:06:49 -0500

With the city facing a $4 billion budget gap over the next two years, New Yorkers are fortunate that we have a fiscally conservative mayor in City Hall, one who understands that an elected official’s responsibility is to make tough decisions rather than pass the buck—or lack of bucks—on to the next mayor. Indeed, we supported Michael Bloomberg’s controversial change to the term-limits law, allowing him a chance at a third term, because we believe his economic worldview is what the city needs right now as we plunge ahead through a global financial crisis. In addition, his talent at choosing the best and brightest as his top people, such as Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, is what the city needs when each day brings new challenges from unpredictable national and international events. read more »

Bette Midler's Staying in Vegas, Baby!

Matt Harvey — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:20:30 -0500

For her "Hulaween" party this year, which benefits her New York Restoration Project, Bette Midler wore a white chef's costume (complete with toque) splayed with fake blood, and carried a cleaver. "If factory food doesn't start changing its ways, people are going to start dying in the streets. Amputations and blindness isn't any fun," Ms. Midler announced to the press assemblage. (The chef Alice Waters would be honored that evening for her advocacy of locally produced food.)

Later, finding Ms. Midler chatting with a family of fans dressed as the Palins, the Daily Transom asked her if there would be any Songs for the New New Depression, now that the boom is over. "I have a job—I'm in Vegas all year round, so I'm not worried," the songstress replied. Ms. Midler would only say that it was "thrilling" to have a fellow Hawaiian a hair away from the presidency. read more »

Kelly in Vogue

Azi Paybarah — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:21:37 -0400

Men's Vogue is hosting a "breakfast discussion" next Wednesday featuring Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, who, we may now presume, is really, truly not going to be running for mayor.

The magazine this month also features an article on Kelly written by Jason Horowitz (before, it should be noted, the mayor announced his intention to run for a third term).

From the story:

"It is going to be the safest business district in the world," Kelly says, wearing a bespoke Martin Greenfield suit, French cuffs fastened with weighty gold links, and a goldfish-colored Charvet tie. ("My big weakness," he confides, straightening the silk knot.) Kelly maintains that his high thread count in no way reflects an ambition for higher office. "I don't have a plan. I really don't," he says. "Maybe I should have a plan. But this is a total-immersion job."

Catsimatidis Turns 60, Parties at Rainbow Room

Azi Paybarah — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:26:59 -0400

Possible mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis threw himself a 60th birthday party last night at the famous Rainbow Room.

My invitation must have been lost in the mail, but one attendee I spoke to said about 300 people showed up, and they included Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Representative Carolyn Maloney, and Republican county leaders Jay Savino of the Bronx, Craig Eaton of Brooklyn and Phil Ragusa of Queens. Republican State Senator Serf Maltese also attended.

Catsimatidis received proclamations from both David Paterson and Michael Bloomberg.

Kelly 'Deeply Flattered' By Mayoral Speculation

Katharine Jose — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:22:20 -0400

From superintern Bharat Ayyar:

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly was a guest on last night's Nachum Segal Show, which was hosted by Zalman "ZK" Koppel and Councilman Simcha Felder, who is also running for State Senate. When Felder brought up the recent Quinnipiac poll that showed Kelly was the most popular candidate for mayor (that is, aside from term-limited Michael Bloomberg), Kelly called the result "flattering," but said he was too focused on his job to think about a run for office.
Felder also brought some of his staff, who he said had all acquired a taste for Jewish music, along to the show. read more »

Poll: Mayor Tops 2009 Mayoral Field

Azi Paybarah — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:26:47 -0400

Thirty-eight percent of New Yorkers polled by Quinnipiac want to see Michael Bloomberg elected mayor again in 2009.

Which will help fuel rumors that he may somehow work to overturn the term limits that currently prevent him from seeking the position a third time.

Since it's fairly unlikely Bloomberg could do that, here's how the other 2009 mayoral candidates did.

Overall:
12% Ray Kelly
11% Marty Markowitz
10 % Anthony Weiner
7% Bill Thompson and Christine Quinn
4% Betsy Gotbaum

Among Democrats only:

12% Markowitz
11% Weiner
10% Quinn
8% Thompson

Among independent voters, Markowitz, Kelly and Weiner each took 12 percent.

Ray Kelly Makes the Rounds Some More

Azi Paybarah — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:32:51 -0400

This Thursday, Ray Kelly will be the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the Jewish Community Relations Council, a major citywide nonprofit that holds events considered 'must attends' for elected officials and those aspiring to be elected.

Kelly has a made a habit out of appearing in front of politically minded groups and rubbing elbows at fancy political events, fueling speculation that he is thinking about running for mayor in 2009. (It's a little Sheekey-esque).

As the reader who forwarded the invitation to me asked, "Is he running?"

Read the email after the jump. read more »

Molinari on Giuliani for Governor (Yes), Mayor (No)

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:58:19 -0400

The speculation that Rudy Giuliani might try to run for governor in 2010 has one of his earliest supporters pretty excited. read more »

Kelly Makes the Rounds

Azi Paybarah — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:05:45 -0400

Ray Kelly, who tops today’s Quinnipiac poll of possible mayoral candidates, is pictured here during a visit yesterday with Jewish leaders in Williamsburg—something that many who are pondering elected office do at some point.

The picture was e-mailed to reporters by Yoel Lefkowitz, a political operative and member of the Jewish community who seems pleased to be among the courted. read more »

Kelly Narrowly Leads Field of Mayoral Candidates

Azi Paybarah — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:04:57 -0400

Despite the recent acquittal of the three police officers on trial for the death of Sean Bell, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly still leads the pack of potential mayoral contenders, according to a new Quinnipiac poll.

That seems in part due to his name recognition and in part because most voters probably aren't thinking about a race that's still a year and a half away. Considering also that most candidates haven't even declared, the significance of the results are limited. read more »