George Spitz

New York Runner

While New York Runner shies away from political endorsements, we'd like to at least introduce a candidate from close to home.

  George Spitz has probably run in--and lost--more races (both political and athletic) than anybody else in New York City. After 75 years of Gotham residency, the former state auditor, who is widely credited with developing the idea of the five-borough New York City Marathon, is again throwing his hat into the political ring. His name is on the ballot for Manhattan Borough President, in the September 9 Democratic Primary.

  This time Spitz, who likes to make light of the number of jobs he has been fired from, is saying up front that if elected he wants to transfer nearly all staff members from the BP's office to the public library system and eliminate the pork and perks of the office.

  "My first act as Manhattan Borough President," Spitz says, "will be to reduce my salary to $70,000, the same as each City Council member receives, from the current $114,000. From that $70,000, I'll deduct the roughly $25,000 I now receive in Social Security and government pensions--and I'll still be overpaid."

  Spitz, in Ralph Naderesque form, will not accept campaign contributions and is keeping a low profile on the campaign trail. However, he says that if elected, he will campaign hard to have Central Park roads closed to traffic for more hours during the week and try to get a barrier put up between bikers and runners on the Park's road.

The Progressive, Pro-Peace choice in the New York City Democratic Primary for City Council 5th District on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island.