Bryant Park had its 2nd candidate forum last night at The Beach Club. This was for the candidates in District 4. The President of the Bryant Park Neighborhood Association showed his bias and prejudice by announcing in the beginning that he was a good friend of one of the candidates [Herman Robinson] and that Ben Ellis was going to be the moderator for the forum.
It was sparsely attended and if it were not for others in the community there to listen and support their candidates, the meeting would have been a bust. Most people have already made up their minds as to whom they want as commissioner District 4.
One question was on illegals in our city and if the city should cooperate with ICE. This was of particular interest to me as our city is inundated with immigrants who have crossed the border illegally and now reside in our city.
Ellie Whittey: Yes.
Maryann Polizzi: Yes. We can't go against a national law.
Herman Robinson: We are a Sanctuary City. If the illegal hasn't committed a crime, he should be allowed to stay.
All in all, I thought all of the candidates did a good job. The one startling comment was from Herman Robinson who said he would like to see the Bamboo Room open again as a nightclub. The Bamboo Room is now occupied by Common Ground Church that is in the process of buying the property. Don't we have enough nightclubs in this city? Don't we have enough boozers? Robinson is endorsed by two of the Trio, Scott Maxwell and Andy Amoroso, with Amoroso opposed to the church.
