Page 11 - NYLS Magazine • 2014 • Vol. 33, No. 1

Staten Island’s observation wheel, planned for the North Shore,

will be the tallest in the world.

Fusco was given an oice at the opposite Still, he observed, New York has been
end of Oddo’s suite at Borough Hall, known to elect Republican mayors.

where the retired justice will serve as James Oddo ’91 was honored,
counsel to the younger man he launched Could Jimmy Oddo see himself as a new along with his counterparts
generation’s Republican mayor?
into politics.
from the other four boroughs,

Digi gited Oddo with a Liberian he answer, at least for the time being, was at a CityLaw Breakfast panel
“No.” He’s focused on his home borough.
discussion on February 7,
ceremonial mask he promised would
“scare away” bad karma.
hosted by Errol Louis of NY1.

••••••••••••••••••
Along with Deputy Borough
President Leroy Comrie
••••••••••••••••••
(Queens) and Borough
In addition to Sandy recovery eforts, two
other goals are of principal importance
Presidents gale Brewer
Oddo was the irst in his family to register (Manhattan), Ruben Diaz
as a Republican. When asked why, he to Oddo. he irst is “exploiting the
advantages of being an island,” as
Jr. (Bronx), and Eric Adams
answers with two words: Ronald Reagan.
Oddo was attracted by the former Oddo puts it. “We already know the (Brooklyn), he discussed many
of the issues facing the ive
president’s optimism, and by conservative shortcomings of being an island,” Oddo
principles as then espoused by the party.
acknowledged. “We have high tolls, boroughs of New York City.
Dean Anthony W. Crowell
we’re addicted to cars because we don’t
As a practical matter, Oddo recognizes have mass transit. And we have huge gave introductory remarks.

that New York is a liberal Democratic infrastructure challenges due to irrational
town and that “the majority will rule.” development and bad [zoning] decisions

he role of Republicans, then, is “to in going from a population of 200,000 to
articulate a diferent perspective,” he said, 500,000 [over the past 50 years].
end outlet mall, a boutique hotel, 900
units of apartments, and what Oddo
“and to do so intelligently.”
“We’re surrounded by water, but we don’t terms a “soon-to-be-famous” waterfront
As his advocacy training at NYLS taught have much access to it, and we don’t use it observation wheel. hat observation

him, an opponent’s argument requires a to our beneit in terms of transportation. wheel, slated to stand 625 feet high
well-reasoned response. “You can’t just We have to open up our water to (roughly 60 stories), will be the tallest

be howling like a banshee. If that’s a bad recreation—certainly to a fast ferry.”
in the world. It will ofer views of the
idea, what’s your good idea?” said Oddo. Statue of Liberty, New York harbor, and
he second goal is revitalization of the
“You have to come prepared with facts Manhattan skyline, and will be able to
and data, in a manner that gives your North Shore, across the harbor from accommodate up to 1,440 people per

argument a chance to be heard.”
Manhattan. More than $1 billion of ride—a sureire draw to Oddo’s native
private investment promises a high-
borough. •

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