Johnson throws hat into last-minute comptroller bid
BY DEAN MOSES
With little more than three
months to go before the June 22
primary, City Council Speaker
Corey Johnson officially threw his hat into
the city comptroller’s race — and a serious
wrench into the overall campaign.
On March 9, Johnson made his official
announcement on the southwest corner
of Madison Square Park, months after he
pulled out of the mayoral election.
Johnson says he has but “one mission”
for the office, if elected: “to better the lives
of New Yorkers.”
“I promise to be your voice when you are
knocked down and can’t speak. To be the
champion for the most vulnerable because
I’ve been there. I’ve lived it,” he added.
Johnson’s pitch for Comptroller heavily
involved his track record of accomplishments
and work as Speaker for City
Council, emphasizing that he has led the
City Council through several budget and
oversight work. He says that he will be the
watchdog of city agencies.
“I will be a strong and independent Comptroller
who uses all of the powers of the office
to kick start New York’s recovery. I’m going
to make sure that every single dollar that we
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson announces his run for city comptroller on
March 9, 2021.
get for COVID relief is targeted directly to
our recovery and to New Yorkers who need
it the most,” Johnson said.
Despite his late entry into the comptroller
campaign, Johnson had already secured
the support of numerous colleagues in
government who were on hand for his
announcement.
“Now that we are leaving the City Council
at the end of this year, and in the next
PHOTO BY DEAN MOSES
few months, the voters of the City of New
York will have an opportunity to vote for a
new administration. A new mayor, a new
public advocate running for reelection,
and equally as important a comptroller
for the City of New York. It is my honor
and privilege to fully and firmly endorse
my good friend, Corey Johnson to become
the next Comptroller of the City of New
York,” said Bronx City Councilwoman
Vanessa Gibson.
Johnson’s supporters listed his previous
work on reducing overcrowding in the public
school system, investing in infrastructure,
building and providing sustainable
housing, and more.
“Corey Johnson embodies the spirit of
New York. There is no one who works
harder for the people of this city,” Brooklyn
Council Member Mark Treyger said,
explaining that prior to the pandemic
Johnson was always looking out for the
best interest of New Yorkers. “Doing the
most good for those who need the most
help,” Treyger said.
Additional supporters included Council
Member Helen Rosenthal for District 6 and
HTC’s President Rich Maroko.
Comptroller Scott Stringer has held the
seat since 2014, but is now seeking to become
the next mayor of New York. The city
comptroller oversees city agencies, monitoring
their spending and performance. ‘
Johnson joins a crowded field of candidates
for city comptroller, which include
Manhattan state Senator Brian Benjamin,
former journalist Michelle Caruso-Cabrera,
Brooklyn City Councilman Brad Lander,
Brooklyn state Senator Kevin Parker and
Queens Assemblyman David Weprin.
Seven injured in violent Midtown café collision
BY ROBERT POZARYCKI AND
DEAN MOSES
Seven people suffered injuries
after a van crashed into an outdoor
dining space on a Midtown
street Friday morning, Fire Department
sources said.
According to the FDNY, the incident
happened at about 8:37 a.m. on March 5
at the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 50th
Street.
Published reports indicated that the
van smashed through the seating area of a
Starbucks coffee shop as well as a nearby
scaffold and a bus stop.
Juan Carlos and Eloy Crisbey were crossing
the street when they saw a white car,
which they believe must have lost the ability
to brake and rammed into another vehicle,
narrowly missing the two men.
They say if it wasn’t for the car it hit,
the vehicle would have slammed into them.
“I was waiting for the light, and the car
blocked it,” Carlos said. He also noted that
there were children crossing the street at
the same time, but he says weren’t injured.
Another witness, who identified himself
as Tony, was on break when he witnessed
the accident.
Seven people were injured after a van lost control and smashed into a scaffold and an outdoor dining space in Midtown
on March 5, 2021.
“It happened so fast. The van hit this
car right here and the car turned around
and knocked all of this stuff down,” said
Tony, who believes the van was fast, he says
driving about 50mph.
“It happened so quick, I just tried to
move out of the way and be safe for myself,”
Tony said.
Joseph Akim, a worker at Blank Slate
Coffee, located across the street from the
Starbucks, said he saw the van speeding
by as well as a sedan spinning out on the
corner.
“It was just very surreal looking out and
seeing all of the seats in the middle of the
street,” he said, referring to the pulverized
PHOTO BY DEAN MOSES
Starbucks outdoor seating area. Akim said
he didn’t see anyone injured, but plenty of
bystanders in shock.
The victims were taken to local hospitals
for treatment of injuries that were not considered
life-threatening, Fire Department
sources said.
The investigation is ongoing.
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