COURIER LIFE, AUGUST 13-19, 2021 5
More reactions from
Brooklyn pols and civic fi gures/
groups:
Assembly Speaker Carl
Heastie: “This has been a
tragic chapter in our state’s
history. Governor Cuomo’s resignation
is the right decision.
The brave women who stepped
forward were heard. Everyone
deserves to work in a harassment
free environment. I have
spoken with Lieutenant Governor
Hochul and I look forward
to working with her.”
Senate Majority Leader
Andrea Stewart-Cousins:
“Today is a somber day for the
state of New York, but one that
demonstrates our ability to
build a more accountable system
of government. Governor
Cuomo’s resignation opens the
door to a restorative future.
We all owe a tremendous debt
of gratitude to the courageous
women who came forward
and helped pave the way for
safer and more inclusive work
spaces. Working with Governor
Kathy Hochul, the fi rst
woman Governor of New York
State, we will continue to address
the COVID-19 pandemic,
rebuild our economy and face
our challenges standing together.
Governor Hochul is a
dedicated leader, and united,
we will get the people’s work
done.”
Councilmember and probable
Borough President Antonio
Reynoso: “Cuomo’s
resignation is long overdue. I
stand with the survivors who
bravely came forward and
shared their stories. Now, we
must focus on delivering real
accountability and reforming
the culture in Albany. I look
forward to working with Kathy
Hochul as we lead NY to a just
recovery.”
Assemblymember and
Brooklyn Democratic Party
Chair Rodneyse Bichotte
Hermelyn (on CNN): “This is
the beginning of the end of a
nightmare for New York State,
but the start of an opportunity
to have a woman to run this
state.” (more here)
Rep. Nydia Velazquez:
“I’ve called for Cuomo’s resignation
for months. I’m glad
he’s stepped aside in light of
the AG’s independent report. I
stand with the survivors who
spoke out against the harassment
they faced at the hands
of the most powerful man in
NY & every woman who has
faced similar abuse.”
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis:
“Today’s resignation by Governor
Andrew Cuomo is an important
fi rst step forward for
our state and its citizens. Lieutenant
Governor Hochul has a
huge job ahad of her; bringing
our state together and dealing
with the many challenges we
face. Over the years, the Lt.
Governor and I have crossed
paths on a number of occasions.
I wish her well in the
days and months ahead and I
pledge to work with her, where
possible, for New Yorkers.”
(full statement here)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney:
“This is the right decision for
New York. I thank the women
who bravely spoke up. #believewomen“
State Senator Zellnor Myrie:
“The Governor’s decision
to step down means that
we can get back to the urgent
business of strengthening our
state and its people. I am grateful
to the women who risked
their careers and reputations
to come forward and share
their experiences.” (full statement
here)
State Senator Jabari Brisport:
“Never thought I’d see
this day.”
State Senator Andrew
Gounardes: “Governor Cuomo’s
resignation is a victory
for the brave women who came
forward, at great personal
risk, to hold the most powerful
person in our state government
accountable. Their courage
is inspiring, and I want to
thank them for sharing these
diffi cult experiences. We must
honor their bravery by continuing
this conversation and
by continuing to root out this
behavior from not only the
state government, but all workplaces.
The fi rst step must be
for the Governor to resign immediately,
and for all pending
investigations to continue to
ensure that justice is not delayed
and there is full accountability
for his actions.” (full
statement here)
State Senator Julia Salazar:
“We have a responsibility
to go through the full impeachment
process. Anything less
would fail to fully hold the governor
accountable, and to prevent
his behavior from being
repeated in the future.”
Assemblymember Robert
Carroll: “.@NYGovCuomo
did the right thing by resigning
today. Work place harassment
has no place in government.
Now we can get back to
working for the people of New
York.”
City Councilmember Justin
Brannan: “We must recognize
the pain & courage of
survivors who came forward.
Cuomo’s resignation should
send a message to holders of
public offi ce at every level:
sexual harassment will not
be tolerated in NY. I look forward
to working with @LtGov-
HochulNY to rebuild our city
& state.”
City Councilmember Carlos
Menchaca: “@NYGovCuomo
resigns in 14 days. Not
soon enough.”
Council District 33 Democratic
Nominee Lincoln Restler:
“A long, dark period in
NY politics has fi nally come
to an end. It was ultimately
not the many egregious abuses
of power over the past decade
that brought him down, but
the courage of women. Look
forward to turning the page
and building with a new generation
of leadership.”
Council District 35 Democratic
Nominee Crystal Hudson:
“Thank you to the survivors
who came forward. You
put everything on the line.
YOU are New York tough. We
will always, always believe
you. Onwards.”
Council District 36 Democratic
Nominee Chi Osse:
“Thank you to @TishJames
and the brave survivors for
telling the world your truth.
Better days are coming New
York.”
Council District 40 Democratic
Nominee Rita Joseph:
“This is long overdue, but it’s
hard for me to say just how excited
I am. I’m looking forward
to being a constituent of New
York State’s fi rst female Governor,
@KathyHochul. We’re
all cheering for sis.”
Former Brooklyn Democratic
Party Chair Frank Seddio:
“It is regretful that such
an outstanding governor who
has accomplished so much
for the people of the state of
New York has now had to step
down because of accusations
which have now negatively
affected his mark in history
and for the state of New York.
I congratulate my dear friend,
Kathy Hochul, on her ascension
to this most exalted position
and wish her well as she
serves the people of New York
and I believe she will do so in
a competent and outstanding
manner which would result in
her continued service.”
Reform Democratic Club
New Kings Democrats: “Because
of the bravery of these
women, and the tireless work
of @harassment_free and others,
NY is changed forever. We
must keep pushing for a world
where no one is harassed or
abused at work.”
Former NYC Transit President,
Cuomo micromanaging
victim, and Train Daddy
Andy Byford (speaking with
The City): “I hope that, going
forward, the MTA will be
given the leeway it needs to deliver
New Yorkers the modern,
fully accessible transit system
that Fast Forward promised.
And that can now defi nitely
become a reality.”
Peter Charles Arbeeny,
whose father died of COVID-19
in a nursing home and who
has called for an apology from
Cuomo, in a letter to Hochul
inviting her to his home: “You
have a chance to restore many
people’s faith in democracy.
The Cuomo administration
has been on the wrong side
of history. Our elected leadership
in Albany would benefi t
from a clean break.”
Everyday New Yorkers
also have thoughts on the
governor’s resignation. Jorge
Romero, a tech worker who
was eating lunch at Albee
Square in Downtown Brooklyn,
said that resignation was
the right decision for the governor.
“I think he made the right
decision,” Romero said. “He
has a lot of allegations against
him that have been proven in
the report and I think what he
did was right, it was the right
time, he was facing impeachment,
and I think that was going
to happen.”
Greg Henry of Greenwood
Heights, meanwhile, noted
that if there’s any lesson to
come from the whole Cuomo
saga, it’s that you should not
be a perv at work.
“I think this is a very simple
lesson that some people
just don’t want to be touched,”
Henry said. “Don’t do that
at work, don’t be creepy at
work.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation on Aug. 10. REUTERS/Mike Segar
link