Several people (including me) spoke before the Campaign Finance Board's "doing business with the city" hearing today. There were three people from the Mayor's office, Suzanne Novak from the Brennan Center, and Doug Israel from the Citizen's Union.

But it was Fran Reiter (Reiter/Begun, former Deputy Mayor under Giuliani) who shined.

Her main point (which I disagree) is that developer money doesn't really buy that much in a NIMBY city. You can't give enough to bring a Wal-Mart here. The developer money in the system just says "Don't hate me as much as you already do." But no politician in the city wants to be revealed as on-the-take against the community. "Politicians are wary of carrying anyone's water," she said. The process already has plenty of sunshine.

I watch NY1's "Inside City Hall" and I generally enjoy it, but one thing bothers me--THAT commercial! You all know it!

You're watching the A.K.s ("Alter Kockers"), and Al D'Amato says something, and then Ed Koch says something, and then Al Sharpton says something, and then Dominic Carter breaks away to a commercial, and you see...

Smiling Bob! The Enzyte commercial for "natural male enhancement"!

Does NY1 "Inside City Hall" sell a lot of this stuff? Is there a hidden need for this product in New York City politics? Where else does Enzyte advertise?