Dancing around the Kruger indictment, Markowitz reminds Brooklynites, "In Unity There is Strength," de Blasio ignores Carlton Avenue Bridge

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Brooklyn-based Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, always quick to offer public statements in response to the most tangential news event, have responded somewhat gingerly to the charges against Brooklyn state Senator Carl Kruger and others.

From Markowitz

Markowitz avoided a statement completely, skipping from a comment on schools to one on the recent tsunami in Japan:

“The devastating earthquake in Japan—one of the worst in recorded history—and the ensuing tsunami have resulted in devastation beyond anyone’s imagination, and our hearts go out to our Japanese brothers and sisters in need. Our proud Brooklyn motto is ‘In Unity There is Strength,’ and Brooklynites have been united once again—as we have been in responding to natural disasters in places such as Haiti, Pakistan and Italy—in opening up their hearts, wallets and pantries to the victims of this catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, as well as their family members here in Brooklyn. For information on donating through the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, please visit the Borough President’s website at www.brooklyn-usa.org and click on the “Japan Earthquake Relief” button.

From de Blasio

While de Blasio Tweeted about the earthquake, he did manage a statement about the case against Kruger and William Boyland:

“Public corruption in any form is vile and reprehensible. In this instance it is particularly sinful, as this pay to play activity deprived the public of basic services while rewarding interests that embraced corruption. Carl Kruger and William Boyland allegedly exploited hospital closings and mergers, at a time when struggling New Yorkers desperately needed healthcare in their communities. This is not a victimless lining of pockets. Until we have real ethics reform that requires lawmakers to be completely transparent, including disclosing outside income, the integrity and quality of our public service will always be in doubt. We need comprehensive ethics reform passed this session.”

Unmentioned: Forest City Ratner's efforts to get out of paying for its Carlton Avenue Bridge obligaton.