Editorial: The charm offensive

Four weeks ago, an editorial appeared in this space condemning Mayor Bloomberg for ignoring the outer boroughs.

Two weeks later, the Horizon's editors attended a breakfast press conference with the mayor at Gracie Mansion. Only community media from the Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island were invited. A few hours later, we attended a lunch press conference with City Council Speaker Gifford Miller at Hostos Community College. Only Bronx reporters were invited.

The goal of each of these meetings was essentially to flatter and charm community newspapers like the Horizon into writing positive stories about the press conference's host.

The breakfast with the mayor was interesting, but unproductive. After a 14-minute opening statement that needlessly dwelled on the history of Gracie Mansion, the floor was opened to questions from the roughly 50 reporters in the room. The mayor repeatedly pointed out that he was hosting the breakfast to make sure we felt he was always accessible, even to those of us who cannot be in City Hall every day.

The first few questions were on the budget and cuts to education, topics covered on a daily basis during regular press conferences. In all, maybe six questions were asked of the mayor before he left to do a radio show. His answers were all very, very long. The Horizon did not get to ask a single question.

Our lunch with the City Council speaker was a great deal more fulfilling. With Mr. Miller sitting at the head of a U-shaped table, he spoke for just a few minutes before allowing the eight or so Bronx reporters to ask questions. Unlike Mr. Bloomberg's press conference, this one actually produced relevant and substantive answers. The speaker did not avoid any questions and spoke with more candor than is common in politics.

Although neither press conference produced any news that warranted a story in the Horizon, we felt it was important to tell our readers that at least an effort was made by both the mayor and the speaker.

We appreciate it. Hopefully both will offer the opportunity again so we can ask questions while they still might produce newsworthy answers.

We’ll let you know if that happens. Or if it doesn’t.