UPTOWNflavor

The New York Times has accused Mayor Bloomberg of using questionable tactics to run for a third term in office.  Critics charge the Mayor with allegedly greasing the palms of a number of nonprofits that receive donations from him.  While the original intention might have been honorable, now it is simply borders on “coercion,” according to Representative Anthony D. Weiner.

Unfortunately a couple of Harlem organizations are caught up in the tangled web of allegations:

The New York Times reported on Saturday that the mayor and his top deputies had pressed social service, arts and neighborhood groups that receive donations from Mr. Bloomberg to express support for his third-term bid by testifying during public hearings and by personally appealing to undecided members of the City Council.

During public hearings in the Council last week, leaders from five groups that rely on Mr. Bloomberg’s donations — the Doe Fund, the Harlem Children’s Zone, the Public Art Fund, the Alliance of Resident Theaters and the St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation — testified on behalf of the bill, praising the mayor for his steady leadership.

But none of the leaders disclosed that their groups received money from Mr. Bloomberg. (For example, Harlem Children’s Zone, which provides services for children and families, has accepted more than $500,000 from Mr. Bloomberg since he was elected, and receives millions in city funds for its education programs.)

Read the whole article: New York Times