Landmarks

      LANDMARKS

Giuliani’s Actions on 9/11 – The actions of former New York City Mayor Rudi Giuliani on September 11^th, 2001, cemented his place in American history and politics. Prior to 9/11, Mr. Giuliani’s approval ratings had been steadily declining. However, on that fateful September morning Giuliani not only rallied together New Yorkers in their darkest hour (by helping to evacuate dangerous parts of Manhattan, organizing the Police and Fire departments, and addressing the media while working to save Gotham citizens), but also people all across the United States. This, quite simply, is leadership at its best.

The Administration of Edward Koch- Mayor Beame, Ed Koch’s predecessor, had proved disastrous for the city of New York. Under his administration, the Big Apple sank into further debt, its crime rate soared, and Gotham’s overall poverty rate reached dangerous highs. When Edward Koch became Mayor of New York City in 1978, the former U.S. Representative helped to turn around the economic, social, and physical conditions of the city he so loved, and he did so with wit, style, and a flair for the dramatic (Mr. Koch loved media attention so much, that he often talked to television reporters while he went to the bathroom). Just like Giuliani, Edward Koch represents what leaders are supposed to do when placed in difficult situations.

John Lindsay’s First and Second Term as Mayor of New York- Mayor John Lindsay, elected in 1966, is a mixed figure. I use the word mixed because everything that the man did had mixed results. A dashing, charismatic figure straight out of Kennedy’s Camelot, John Lindsay promised to restore New York City to it’s glorious former-self, the city having been partially decimated by his predecessor, Robert F. Wagner. John Lindsay sincerely cared about New York City, but his economic policies and overly progressive attitude failed to fix Gotham. Unlike Mr. Giuliani and Mr. Koch, John Lindsay wasn’t an excellent leader. However, he did try his hardest to be one.

Tammany Hall and the Reign of Boss Tweed- Boss Tweed was one of America’s most corrupt public officials, who resided over the Democratic political machine known as Tammany Hall. For several years during the mid-to-late 19^th century, he embezzled public funds for his own pet projects, such as the construction of a courthouse and the building of a private mansion. Boss Tweed was also known for bribing other public officials to stay in control of Gotham but, while doing so, he increased the prominence and influence of New York’s Irish community. Boss Tweed is what one would call a “bad” leader, but he also helped New York City expand through his social and economic policies.

Dinkins and the Crown Heights Riots- Mayor David Dinkins, who was New York City Mayor right before Rudolph Giuliani, would probably have gotten a second term if it weren’t for this particular event. A clash between Hassidic Jews and African Americans in Crown Heights on the eve of a mayoral election made many New Yorkers realize that David Dinkins could not suitably enforce the laws of his own administration, prompting the election of Giuliani in the early 90’s. Dinkins, like Boss Tweed, represents a “bad” leader or, at least, an inefficient one.

Bloomberg and the Occupy Wall Street Movement- New York City’s current Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is fairly popular…And yet, this year he did something drastic to the Occupy protestors gathered in Zuccotti Park: He had police barge into their protest site early one morning and “clear out” the area via mass beatings, destruction of property, and brute force. Although America’s Constitution guarantees Freedom of Assembly, Bloomberg’s actions seem to redefine what a mayor can and cannot due to his constituents, and therefore how a mayor can and cannot lead others.

Fiorello LaGuardia and Robert Moses- Fiorello LaGuardia is easily New York City’s most popular Mayor, and Robert Moses is easily New York City’s most famous (and infamous) urban planner. Together, both these men resided over a structural, architectural, and an economical remodeling of Gotham throughout the 30’s and 40’s, changing the Big Apple for the better and for the worse. LaGuardia remains a beloved historical figure, but Robert Moses is often viewed as a controversial individual: In other words, a man who bulldozed homes and streets and apartments while on his quest with LaGuardia to change New York City permanently. The partnership between LaGuardia and Robert Moses is a key example of how one leader’s interaction with another individual can lead to great and not so great changes in a city’s history.