GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rick Lazio yesterday called on the Public Service Commission to zap the Ground Zero mosque because of the revelation that Con Ed owns half the site.
“As governor I will appoint commissioners . . . who, like me, oppose this group’s plan to build a mosque at Ground Zero — and I encourage New Yorkers to call the Public Service commissioners and tell them the same,” he said.
The disclosure in Sunday’s Post about the property’s ownership proves the mosque’s developers “have been operating under false pretenses,” he said.
The commission, which oversees utility rate hikes, may get to weigh in on the controversial plan if Con Ed sells its building on Park Place to mosque developer Sharif El-Gamal.
El-Gamal, of Soho Properties, paid $700,000 last year to take over a 99-year lease on the utility’s building and has said he wants to buy it outright.
That could trigger a review by the commission, whose five members are appointed by the governor.
They have the power to reject a sale if it could impact the utility’s capacity to deliver services.
Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D-Westchester), who chairs the committee on corporation, authorities and commissions, personally opposes the mosque, saying, “This is the site of mass murder. It would be much better if the parties could get together and figure out something that is reasonable.”
But Brodsky, a candidate for attorney general, said he won’t get involved.
“The law has to be fairly applied to everyone without regard to religious views,” he said.
Even the PSC is not sure it will have a say.
“As of today, we are not sure if this issue will even come before the commission for a determination,” said spokesman James Denn.
Gov. Paterson, who supports the mosque, won’t get involved, said his spokesman Morgan Hook.
Con Ed said it would follow its “legal obligations under the lease” and not consider outside factors.
Last week, the city’s Landmark Preservation Commission gave the green light for Soho Properties to demolish the connected buildings, which the mosque would replace.
In all, the project is budgeted at $100 million and would include a community center, swimming pool and café.
The buildings formerly housed a Burlington Coat Factory but sat vacant for years.
(Source: NY Post)
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I see. So everybody will follow their legal guidelines and not get involved. And when a national tragedy occurs ch”v with its source in that building, their hearts will not bleed either, I guess. And then they will introduce legislation, blah blah blah, but it will be too late. I thought Americans believed in preventative medicine.