Posted on 02/08/2004 10:12:20 AM PST by SheLion
It's hard to imagine - butt-banning Mayor Bloomberg sitting passively at his table during a black-tie dinner while all around him smokers puff away on stogies.
But that's exactly what happened one recent evening in Manhattan when Hizzoner attended the annual gathering of Wall Street's exclusive Kappa Beta Phi society at the St. Regis Hotel.
The private event was held in the hotel's top-floor ballroom, which quickly became smoke-filled after cigars were passed out among the assembled titans of finance.
Of the 130 who attended the Jan. 15 gathering, dozens lit up - possibly as many as 50, one party-goer told The Post.
And Bloomberg - whose smoke police have cited Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter and others for simply harboring empty ashtrays, and who boasts he regularly calls 311 to report potholes and litter-strewn lots - didn't raise a finger in protest.
"He condoned it," said a source who saw Bloomberg while the cigars were being smoked.
At the event, once described as "closer to La Cage aux Folles than a bankers convention," newly inducted members - including Bloomberg's companion, state banking superintendent Diane Taylor - performed raucous skits, making fun of themselves and the investment industry icons in the room.
Many spoofed disgraced former New York Stock Exchange head Richard Grasso, who was on hand laughing it up.
A City Hall aide acknowledged that Bloomberg was aware of the cigar-fest around him and didn't take any action, noting, "The mayor has seen violations before and doesn't take it upon himself to report them."
The aide said, "It's the Health Department's responsibility to issue tickets based on complaints and random inspections."
The mayor's apparent indifference to the mass violation of the city's tough anti-smoking law - which he considers one of his crowning accomplishments - drew outrage around the city. At the Drini Caf on Arthur Avenue in The Bronx, customer Jerry Ahmetaj fumed, "It makes me mad to know he's partying with smokers while the rest of us have to stand outside and freeze just to smoke a cigarette."
Nearby, at Enzo's Caf, bartender Anna Gjegji called the mayor's inaction "very hypocritical."
"What a role model!" she grumbled.
At the Four Seasons in Manhattan, co-owner Julian Niccoli said, "It's the same old story - we cannot smoke, but they can. Different rules apply to different people."
City Health Department spokeswoman Sandra Mullin said the St. Regis "can expect an inspector in the near future."
Asked about the Kappa Beta Phi event, St. Regis spokeswoman Teresa Delaney said hotel officials had "no knowledge of smoking going on" at the dinner.
Big time hypocrite. But nobody in these parts will make much of it, since he tows the politically correct line in virtually every area. The left is quite happy with Bloomie.
Well ya know these fat cats are smoking $20.00 cigars, not cigarettes like us low down dirty peons.
F'em all...
He made a trip to Turkey last year, and sat around with the turks in their tents and all the Turks were smoking. Bloomin'Idiot didn't say ONE WORD! He just likes to control his LITTLE people!
The aide said, "It's the Health Department's responsibility to issue tickets based on complaints and random inspections."
Ah yes, the Mafia Don cutout strategy.
Yep! And since Blooming Idiot doesn't turn people in, he probably WILL tell the Health Department to put tighter reins on these functions. And this way, since he does it behind closed doors, no one will come after him. ugh!
 |
FReeper Cigar Aficionado  |
| "Never mess with a man willing to suck on a raging trash fire." -- Tijeras_Slim Send FReepmail if you want on/off FCAP list |
|
The problem isn't the hotel; the problem is Bloomberg looking the other way while his buddies smoke. Why should the hotel be inspected at some future time?
Well, old Blooming Idiot was an Independent. Right after 9-11, the then Mayor Guiliani endorced Bloomberg. Since everyone thought Guiliani was a God walking on Water, his endorsement of Bloomberg HAD to be the best thing since warm milk!
I still wonder to this day if Guiliani regrets his decision that he endorsed this idiot.
How do you know? Have you heard something? Must be some palm greasing under the table, then. IMHO.
How about,"No one", or in the words of Brewster's Millions, "None of the above".
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.