Bill Thompson Mayor

7/30/2019 Bill Thompson Mayor

1/4

Candidate Overview

1. WhyshouldyoungpeopleinNYCvoteforyouinsteadoftheothercandidates?

New York City is going to face a number of challenges in the coming years, and

the City needs a pragmatic Mayor who will represent them capably. I know I willbe that leader. My experience in the public sector and the private sector givesme the best platform to represent New York City and ensure that all New Yorkershave a fair shot.

http://billthompsonformayor.com/why-i-am-running

2. How would you distinguish your future administration from the present one runby Mayor Bloomberg?

I believe the current administration has taken a far too consultant-driven,

Manhattan-centric approach to governing over the last 12 years, and that NewYork City needs a mayor who believes this is one city, whose success rises aseveryone does better. I would put far more emphasis in involving parents,tenants, and community members in the political process, and ensuring that all ofNew York has a voice.

Personal Questions1. Do you rent or own your home? Will you move to Gracie Mansion if you win?

I own my home. I have not thought much yet about my moving plans.

2. Do you have a pet?

I have two cats, tropical fish, and two lizards.

3. If you have children, do/did they attend public schools?

They attend private school.

4. Haveyoueverbeenthevictimofacrime?

Safety

1.What changes would you like to see in the NYPD's stop and frisk policies?

We shouldnt be measuring success based on how many stops are made in agiven precinct; we should be measuring success by looking at overall rates ofcrime. In precincts where crime is already low, we need to make sure it stays thatway. In precincts where crime is high, we need to make sure it comes down.

In addition to realigning performance indicators to measure results, we need to


2/4

provide better training to police officers so they understand what makes a goodstop, and what makes a bad stop. We need to involve prosecutors in theprocess. And officers should tell people why theyre being stopped, and ifnecessary, why theyre being frisked.

You can read more about my proposed public safety policy here: http://billthompsonformayor.com/node/282

2.Would you replace Ray Kelly as police commissioner?

Yes.

3.Do you support the decriminalization or legalization of marijuana in NewYork City?

I support decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana.

4.Do you support an independent inspector general for the NYPD?

I would support the concept of an IG inside the police department, but moreimportant is that we have leadership at City Hall and the NYPD that knows whenthere is a problem, and fixes it. Reforming Stop and Frisk isnt about the creation

of a new layer of bureaucracy, we need a new leader who wants to change it.

5.Would you change the way the NYPD handles protests in the city, includingthe present "free speech zones"?

6.

We need to do everything we can to protect free speech.

7.Do you favor an increase in funding for the Accident Investigation Squad,and directing AIS to investigate all accidents which include a serious injury(rather than just deaths)?

8.I believe every NYPD department should be funded appropriately, but I would

need to fully review budgets before making any funding decisions.

9.Should people be allowed to drink alcohol on their own stoops? What aboutin public parks?

Transportation, Bikes and Bike Lanes

1.Howoftendoyourideabike?

Not nearly as often as I would like, with the campaign schedule being what it is.

2.How will you change Mayor Bloomberg's bike lane policy?


3/4

I believe we need to get communities more involved in the decision makingprocess, on this issue and every issue. Too often the disconnect once a projectis started exists because communities and stakeholders have been shut out ofthe process.

3.How often do you ride NYC subways and buses?

Very often.

4.Should livery cabs be allowed to pick up street hails in the outer boroughs?

Yes

5.Do you support congestion pricing?

I believe we need to find dedicated revenue streams to support our transitinfrastructure, but there are numerous ways to do that, including pushing for thereinstatement of the commuter tax and revamping the car registration process.

6.Should the new Staten Island ferries be required to have outdoor decks?

I would need to see the cost breakdown of each ferry before making a decision.

7.Do you favor adding platform gates on New York City subways?

There is clearly a safety issue on subway platforms, and people are more aware

of it than ever before. I believe that is the first step and most cost effective wayto promote safer subways, is to make sure people understand what is going onaround them and are always paying attention.

Health1. WillyouchangeorrepealanyofthefollowingBloombergadministrationpolicies?a) Salt ban b) Soda size limits c) Smoking in public parks

d) Restaurant letter grades e) Styrofoam ban

I believe the Mayor has made great strides in protecting public health, but Ibelieve we can go even further. Instead of banning large sodas, lets get more

healthy food and a better health and wellness education into our schools, so kidsare well informed and well fed. I believe the Mayors limits on cigarettes have

been good for the City and good for public health. The restaurant letter gradingsystem has been well intentioned, but I believe we need to work with restaurantgroups and business owners to identify flaws in the system and make thenecessary changes.

Disaster Preparedness


4/4

1.Shouldresidentsbeallowedtorebuildtheirhomesinflood-proneareaslikeTheRockaways?

Yes, but with the knowledge of what they are getting themselves into. Peoplehave lived in low-lying areas for many years, but with the changing aspects of our

global climate they are seemingly becoming more prone than ever to flooding, weneed to take careful stock of where are building and make sure that homeownersand builders are aware.

2.What specific measures should the City take to prevent widespreaddestruction from Sandy- level storms?

To start, we need a dedicated Deputy Mayor for Infrastructure who will help bringclarity to the various infrastructure issues in New York City. A dedicated officethat can bring together the best minds in the business will provide a great startingpoint to building a safer, strong City.

Development1. DoyousupportabanorlimitonchainstoresinNewYorkCity?

I think we need to balance the needs of the community with the fabric of ourneighborhoods. We should look carefully at every proposal for significantly sized

businesses coming into New York, because we dont need to just be creatingjobs, we want to be creating good paying, long term work that allows people tomove out of the working class and into the middle class. I have significantconcerns about businesses that have poor labor track records.

Documents

Bill Thompson Mayor