By Jeremy Walsh
In the wake of this week's economic turmoil, Mayor Michael Bloomberg was expected to announce Thursday that he would seek a third term in office, according to published reports.
Citing anonymous sources, the New York Post and The New York Times said Bloomberg would seek to repeal the current term-limits law, which currently prevents him from running for re-election. The New York Times
The news came after the Post and The Times reported Monday that Rod Lauder, the cosmetics heir who spearheaded the move to impose term limits on city offices, said he would reverse his position if it meant a third term for Bloomberg.
Bloomberg, a former Wall Street trader who founded his own multibillion-dollar financial news company, said last month he would support a bill changing the term limits.
The news unsettled City Council members from Queens, many of whom are term-limited out next year and have already started campaigns for other public offices.
City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside), who recently kicked off his campaign for mayor, blasted Lauder for what he called an “about face” that “dealt a body blow to democracy in New York City.”
“Our principles of democracy rely on the ability of the public to decide who will lead their government,” he said in a statement. “To all of [a] sudden believe that only one man and one man alone is capable of filling that position is inherently wrong.”
Councilman John Liu's (D-Flushing) office criticized news of the mayor's expected decision.
“Although John does not support the concept of term limits, he certainly cannot and will not support the mayor pushing this through,” said his spokeswoman, Barbara Baruch. “Times are tough, but so are New Yorkers. And New York is a lot bigger than one man.”
Term limits would also force Liu out of office, although he has not yet announced whether he will seek another public position.
City voters have voted in favor of the eight-year term limit in 1993 and 1996.
Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e-mail at jwalsh@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
