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What to expect from Rudy in ‘01
January 1, 2001
Here are some predictions of what New Yorkers can expect in the year 2001.
January: In his first news conference of the new year, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announces that he is the best mayor New York has ever had. He adds he might be forced to leave the city if Public Advocate Mark Green becomes mayor. "I don't want to sound like an alarmist," says the mayor, "but New Yorkers are going to regret the moment I walk out the door."
February: Saying he respects the mayor's "candor," Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik abolishes former commissioner Howard Safir's dozen-detective security detail. Kerik then closes the Police Museum, of which Safir's wife Carol serves as chairwoman.
March: The mayor reinstates Safir's security detail and re-opens the Police Museum. "Despite what Bernie Kerik may think," he says, "the mayor is the police commissioner, not the police commissioner."
April: Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who also owns the Los Angles Dodgers, is spotted at a SoHo restaurant with former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda. Lasorda is overheard trying to explain to Murdoch the difference between a bunt and a sacrifice fly.
Safir attends Opening Day at Yankee stadium with his dozen-detective security detail. A scuffle ensues when he tries to enter George Steinbrenner's box, where the Yankees' owner is entertaining Murdoch, Lasorda and Giuliani. Apparently referring to Murdoch, Lasorda is overheard saying to Steinbrenner, "He understands the bunt and sacrifice fly but I can't get him to grasp the infield fly rule."
Apparently referring to Safir, Steinbrenner is overheard telling the mayor "Rudy, it's time to cut your losses and get rid of this bum."
May: The mayor cancels Safir's security detail, saying that "threats on Safir's life are no longer a problem." The mayor questions whether Safir is truly "the greatest commissioner in the history of the city," as the mayor had stated previously. "I may have gotten a little carried away," he acknowledges.
June: An unnamed police lieutenant is quoted in the Daily News, saying he suffered a nervous breakdown under questioning at a COMPSTAT meeting. At a news conference at the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association headquarters, the lieutenant says that under the Giuliani administration, more lieutenants suffer from mental illness than at any other time in city history.
Standing with the lieutenant is PBA president Pat Lynch. Lynch presents a psychiatrist from Mount Sinai Hospital who states, "There is no mental illness that cannot be cured with higher salaries."
July: The mayor announces he might be forced to leave New York City if Bronx Borough President Freddy Ferrer is elected mayor. "Just as I have done more for black New Yorkers than any black official in city history," the mayor says, "I have done so for Hispanic New Yorkers."
August: An unnamed captain is quoted in the Post, saying he was physically abused by superior officers at a COMPSTAT meeting. At a news conference at PBA headquarters, he adds that under the Giuliani administration, more captains have been physically abused by superior officers than at any other time in city history.
Lynch then presents an orthopedic surgeon from Beth Israel Hospital who states, "A proven remedy to physical abuse by superior officers is higher salaries."
September: The mayor announces he might be forced to leave New York if Comptroller Alan Hevesi is elected mayor. Giuliani points out he has done more for Jews than any mayor in city history. "No one has supported Israel more than I. I also appointed the city's first Jewish police commissioner."
October: An unnamed detective is quoted saying that while on Safir's security detail he was made to stand outside Safir's apartment building all night and because of lack of sleep developed heart trouble. He says that because of this, he will retire with a tax-free line of duty disability pension and adds that under the Giuliani administration, more inspectors have filed for line-of-duty disability pensions than at any other time in city history.
November: City Council Speaker Peter Vallone is elected mayor.
December: Giuliani says he is considering remaining at City Hall, despite the election. "I feel that this is the least New Yorkers expect of me," the mayor says. Calls are made to Albany and to Washington. The national guard is mobilized. FBI agents surround City Hall.
On Dec. 31, at the stroke of midnight, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani departs on a white horse.
