New York Desk

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

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NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

CAMPAIGN CORNER


REPORTERS SPOKE TO BLOOMBERG VOLUNTEERS WHO DIDN’T DISCLOSE ROLES


When Mayor Bloomberg won the endorsement of one of New York’s most influential black ministers, Calvin Butts, at an IHOP last month, the diners were happy to talk to reporters – but it turns out that some of them weren’t just everyday New Yorkers enjoying coffee and pancakes. As the Associated Press first reported yesterday, at least nine of the diners were volunteers for the Bloomberg campaign. One of the volunteers, Marilyn Foulks, who spoke with The New York Sun, was so enthusiastic about Mr. Bloomberg’s candidacy that the Sun asked her if she was thinking about volunteering for the campaign. She said she was not a volunteer but was considering pitching in later in the race. The Bloomberg campaign’s spokesman, Stuart Loeser, said yesterday that Ms. Foulks had signed up as a volunteer days before the event. He said, however, that the campaign has no record of her helping out at any other events, and he said the campaign never tells its volunteers to mislead reporters. Reporters for the New York Times and the AP also spoke unknowingly with volunteers, who did not disclose their roles in the campaign. “Volunteers are invited to events with the mayor,” Mr. Loeser said. “We certainly would never encourage them to mislead a member of the press as to their role.” Ms. Foulks could not be reached last night for comment. A political science professor at Baruch College, Douglas Muzzio, said it’s no surprise that a political campaign would plant its supporters at its events. “It’s part of the script of politics,” he said. “It’s normal and it’s done all the time. You create the image, and it may not be the truth in some larger sense, but it’s sort of an expected feature of political campaigns.” Mr. Muzzio said the practice likely dates back to ancient times adding, “There are always Trojan horses, in Homer and elsewhere.”


– Staff Reporter of the Sun


WEINER CHIDES GOP FOR PUSHING AMENDMENT TO HOUSING BILL


Rep. Anthony Weiner yesterday criticized Republican lawmakers for pushing an amendment to a federal housing bill that would exclude faith-based organizations. Congress is expected to pass the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act next week, which would create a $500 million grant program for groups that operate low-income housing and promote low-income home ownership. Appearing yesterday with Bishop Nicholas Di-Marzio in Brooklyn, Mr. Weiner, a Democrat, criticized the GOP for attempting to attach a clause that would exclude organizations whose primary purpose is not related to affordable housing.


– Special to the Sun


CITYWIDE


ACTIVISTS RALLY TO SUSPEND CAR TRAFFIC ON CENTRAL PARK LOOP


Bike activists rallied in Central Park yesterday to ask the city to suspend car traffic on the Central Park Loop Drive next summer after the bike advocacy organization Transportation Alternatives said it used a speed gun that recorded that the majority of drivers exceeding the 25 miles-per-hour speed limit through the loop. More than half drove between 31 and 40 miles per hour, according to a study the organization conducted last month of 700 cars that drove through the park.


– Special to the Sun


QUEENS


EX-CHEF CHARGED WITH STABBING WIFE TO DEATH WITH STEAK KNIFE A former Manhattan chef was charged with murder yesterday. Queens prosecutors say he stabbed his wife to death with a steak knife as the couple’s 3-year-old daughter stood nearby. Roberto Jara Coello, 31, of Woodside, faces 25 years-to-life in prison after a Queens jury indicted him for second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and endangering a child, the Queens district attorney, Richard Brown, said. Mr. Coello is accused of stabbing his wife, Fanny Anguisaca, 29, multiple times after a dispute in their Woodside home on August 28. The couple had allegedly separated three weeks before, and Mr. Coello fled the scene with his daughter after the stabbing. Mr. Coello was arrested on an immigration warrant three days after the killing, Mr. Brown said.


– Special to the Sun


POLICE BLOTTER


THREE ARRESTED IN PISTOL-WHIPPING OF SHOPKEEPER


Police arrested three men for allegedly robbing the owner of a Brooklyn furniture store. At about 11 a.m. yesterday, two men entered International Furniture, at 769 65th St., in Bay Ridge. Brandishing a gun, the suspects approached the owner of the store and demanded cash, police said. They allegedly pistol-whipped the man and stole a black leather bag containing $85,000 in cash and $16,000 in checks. The suspects fled in a red Honda Civic, police said, along with three other male suspects. Investigators stopped the vehicle at 44th Street and Third Avenue. Two suspects fled on foot and three of the men were arrested on the spot. Police allegedly found a loaded 9mm handgun and loaded .45-caliber handgun in the vehicle. The shopkeeper suffered a laceration to the head and was treated at Lutheran Hospital. The names of the suspects were not readily available.


– Staff Reporter of the Sun

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.


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