At the next Friday Night Dialogues, Lynne A. Weikart gives a fascinating deep dive into the three-term tenure of former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
His governing record is the subject of her 2021 book entitled, “Mayor Michael Bloomberg: The Limits of Power.” Rescheduled from last fall, the presentation on Friday, February 18 at 7 PM via Zoom, is part of the Shelter Island Public Library’s Friday Night Dialogues series.
Michael Bloomberg’s successes and failures
Weikart will explore the successes and failures of Bloomberg’s major policy initiatives to understand the constraints on mayoral power imposed by higher branches of government and the unique role of personality and management style in shaping outcomes.
A retired CUNY professor teaching part-time at James Madison University in Virginia, Weikart is transitioning soon to full-time Island life in her retirement. She’s excited to share her insights with her new home community members.
“The story is largely a positive one,” she said, “especially when looking at Bloomberg’s first term. NYC was in a huge quandary after 9/11, and his willingness to do what was necessary, including raising property taxes and convincing the elites to reauthorize borrowing, led to a period of growth across the boroughs.”
She believes that had Bloomberg been a two-term mayor, he might have been judged quite differently by history.
New York University Professor Jonathan Soffer praised Weikart’s book: “Lynne A. Weikart has written a balanced and comprehensive evaluation of the major policy initiatives of the Bloomberg administration. This is the most useful book on Bloomberg’s policies to date and is indispensable to anyone interested in the history of New York City in the 21st century.”
About Lynne A. Weikart
Weikart brings a broad policymaking background and sharp financial mind to the analysis.
She received her Ph.D. in a joint program at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and Teachers College at Columbia University. She formerly held key positions in government, including Budget Director of the Division of Special Education in NYC public schools and Executive Deputy Commissioner of NYS Division of Human Rights.
Co-author of two books, “Budget Tools: Financial Methods in the Public Sector” (2008) and “Budgeting and Financial Management for Non-Profits” (2012), Weikart also wrote, “Follow the Money: Who Controls New York Mayors” (2009) examining financial elites and their influence on urban mayors.
How to register for FND
To register, please use the library’s online signup form (and do so at least 30 minutes before the program’s start time).
For further information or assistance, contact Jocelyn Ozolins at jozolins@silibrary.org or 631-749-0042. Library programs are free, but donations are gratefully accepted. You can donate on the library’s home page.
Next Up: On Friday, March 11 at 7 PM, Shelter Island journalist Charity Robey talks about local oyster cultivation, combining her culinary interests with the perspectives of three panelists engaged in East End aquaculture.
