“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” — Jane Jacobs
“Are you going to move out of NYC if Zohran becomes Mayor?” is the question many people are being asked. What will happen if NYC succumbs to socialism? If a Mayor Mamdani freezes rent for the 44% of New York City apartments, opens city-owned grocery stores and make buses free and scales non-police responses… With a November election fast approaching, and a January installation of a new Mayor approaching – although none of the Mayoral candidates have endorsed the current Governor for her re-election bid next year – I don’t know what to expect – and neither do you. We are in this together! From City Hall to Albany to SOMOS in Puerto Rico – I look forward to continuing to open doors, invite thinkers to tables, and encourage conversations across ideologies – so that we can all learn, grow and help together…
WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS
At the newly reopened Waldorf Astoria, this week’s 80th Al Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner coincided with the first televised Mayoral debate between Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, causing Rosanna Scotto, John Catsimatidis, and Bari Weiss to hover around John’s phone, to tune into the WABC770 live stream even as the program moved on. On stage, honorees Tony Blinken and Mike Pompeo joined Robert Kraft who donned a red kufi – or was it a yarmulke or a taqiyah? – Three names, one meaning: cover your head to lift your heart – a shared instinct to show reverence and belonging.
A little further west, a Cuomo debate watch party at Nelson Braff’s Hunt & Fish Club, brought together supporters and family members like Kenneth Cole and Maria Cuomo Cole, mixed with hospitality pros Richie Hosein, Joe Gannone and Richie Romero; pro-Israel voices Zach Sage Fox, Ari Ackerman & Aliza Licht; One City Rising’s Maria Danzilo and Style Across the Aisle steering committee member Gina Newman…
Elsewhere in the city, the CORE Club is where you can find media maven Monica Elias who can talk about on-camera soundbites as much as she can about the health insurance industry… Uptown at Elio’s, the Mayor’s press secretary Kayla Mamelak was spotted dining with hubby Adam just hours after announcing she would step down to focus on being a full‑time mom… A few subway stops away on the Q train, a civic brain trust convened at Civic Hall for the State of Women NYC Conference, exploring AI, civic leadership, and equity, featuring Deputy Mayor for Administration, Camille Joseph Varlack; Chairwoman of the Digital Civil Rights Coalition, Julie Wenah; and Commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights, Denise Miranda; among the voices charting what leadership should look like now…
Lisa Flores, CEO, Catholic Charities Community Services, was out and about this week too attending NY Immigration Coalition’s “This Is Our New York” Gala celebrating immigrant leadership and advocacy with CEO Murad Awawdeh, then at New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers first-ever gala with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, NYC Council Member Kevin Riley, former First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, NYC Chief Business Diversity Officer Michael Garner and CEO of the NY Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Quenia Abreu…
And at the New York Athletic Club, Neela Lockel, CEO of EAC Network looked to expand their NYC presence, for an event hosted by board members, Sammy Chu of Edgewise Energy and Alanna Russo from National Grid Ventures, to talk EAC Network’s work in the criminal justice space, through Treatment alternatives for safer communities, and alternatives to incarceration, re-entry and health home programs – helping people access second chances, treatment, and an opportunity to create a better future. Council Member Dr. Yusef Salaam joined to speak and reinforce the idea that second chances and real access to diversion and treatment are a critical component of public safety… Additional Board Members in attendance included Long Island AFL-CIO’s John Durso, Geri Gregor, Michael Lofrumento, former First Deputy Nassau County Executive, Helena Williams; Becky Tung, Lisa Mirabile, Kim Ciesinski and Dianna Jacob… with Manhattan district leader Layla Law-Gisiko and cybersecurity expert, Lisa Black…
Attorney and lobbyist Brad Gerstman had a busy week as well – convening the annual Lisa Beth Gerstman Foundation fundraising which drew philanthropic leaders in support of inclusive recreation for children with disabilities – in honor of Brad’s late sister – then later in the week, at Fresco by Scotto, welcoming new Gerstman PLLC chief advisor, former NYC Department of Buildings Commissioner, Rick Chandler…
In Nassau County, the Exit 15 & North Corona Avenue Revamp brought Legislator Carrié Solages together with his sister, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, and Assemblyman Ed Ra along with Governor Kathy Hochul — a cooperative state–county repaving push with credit shared across the aisle….
And in Houston, Texas, Assemblymember John McDonald attended the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Health Costs Seminar, a bipartisan table on healthcare affordability….
At Queens Borough Hall, Council Member Francisco Moya and Borough President Donovan Richards teamed with NYS Labor, the Workers’ Compensation Board, and the Long Island & Queens Latino Restaurant Association for a “Restaurant Ready” Master Class on compliance and growth….
In the Bronx, at the 2nd Annual Hip Hop Museum Gala, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson joined artists, pioneers, and supporters — with shout‑outs to Executive Director Rocky Bucano and Board Chair Rubén Díaz Jr. Gibson highlighted $3M in Borough President capital funding and credited Speaker Carl Heastie for a $20M state allocation. The guest roll read like a mixtape – Fat Joe, Slick Rick the Ruler, TT Torrez, and of course, Lower East Side legend Robert Cordero, CEO of Grand Street Settlement…. The Hip Hop Museum slated to open in 2026…
Also in the Bronx, Assemblymember Amanda Septimo celebrated the Renaissance Youth Center’s 25th Anniversary, noting $3.3M secured for the building’s acquisition. CEO Bervin Harris and the Center’s team stood alongside community champions, with Senator Luis Sepulveda and Council Member Althea Stevens among those in the room…
Back in Chelsea at the Penn South tax‑relief bill signing, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation extending relief to the storied co‑ops, with Council Member Erik Bottcher in the room — the two reportedly twinning in grey suits — alongside Sen. Brad Hoylman‑Sigal, Assemblyman Tony Simone and board president Ambur Nicosia, and a crowd of Penn South cooperators…
The city never stops training, either – Senator John Liu is in motion, logging miles toward a half‑Ironman…. Majority Leader Amanda Farías hosts the District 18 Annual Fall Festival at Soundview Park, with partners Senators Nathalia Fernandez and José Serrano, Assemblymember Emerita Torres, and a roster of NYC agencies — a family‑friendly close to a week that kept widening the circle.
