By COLlive reporter
Photos by Levi Percia
No Mayor will know Crown Heights better than Bill Thompson – that is if he wins.
At a fundraiser in Crown Heights that gathered mostly young professionals, Thompson trumped his deep familiarity with the neighborhood, long before most participants were even born.
“It’s great to see what Crown Heights looks like now,” he said as 50 guests mingled over wine, beer and gourmet pizza at the trendy Basil Pizza and Wine Bar.
Born and raised in the nearby Bed-Stuy neighborhood, Thompson’s father was a Brooklyn Democratic Party boss and served as a state senator and city councilman.
“The progress and changes that occurred here have been great,” said Thompson, noting how the city has changed since the days when he was a youngster in the tough neighborhoods of Brooklyn.
“We went through difficult times and it took people on both sides to bring us together. I’m going to be the mayor who makes sure that we never go back to the ‘bad old days’,” he said about his hopes to succeed his former rival Michael Bloomberg.
The event was hosted by political activist Yaakov Behrman, along with Mendel Pershin, Yossi Rapoport and Mendy Margolin.
Flanked by Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Frank Seddio and Brooklyn District Leader Jesse Hamilton, Thompson said he plans to make the city better and safer, putting more cops on the streets.
As expected, he recalled the days when he accompanied his father, William C. Thompson, Sr., to visit the Lubavitcher Rebbe for a blessing.
He also mentioned his long-time friendships with Rabbi JJ Hecht, the late chairman of the NCFJE organization and his son Rabbi Shea Hecht, as well as Chanina Sperlin, a governmental liaison for the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council.
When asked about his position on the Metzitzah B’peh bill limiting a long-held custom of the bris milah ceremony, Thompson replied: “I want to hear, and I want to listen. We have to figure out a balance between religion and safety.”
Behrman told COLlive.com the event was a success, with attendees approaching him to donate hundreds of dollars to the campaign.
VIDEO:
The event was live tweeted by @Mottel
you really never know a person until he gets elected, look at Bloomberg, a lot of people voted for him, and thought he was right for the job.
i spy yisroel pershin 🙂 🙂
get those guys married
The CHJCC supported Dinkins the first time around.
He has proven himself to be a friend time and time again. He defends Israel and has stood with the Crown Heights Jewish community through thick and thin.
Stop being so apologetic. Get your facts straight. Perhaps those who are old enough to remember some real history can weigh in.
Stop with the Sharpton rhetoric? It was Thompson’s own words when he went to Sharpton’s birthday party and said (paraphrased) where ever Sharpton goes I go. So perhaps you like the other apologists need to stop it.
Bill Thompson is a good man. He is on very good terms with Jewish community. He was involved in helping the community in 1991 so stop with the Sharpton rhetoric.
happy birthday!
shnas hatzlocha,parnosa,simchos….nu shoin!
David N. Dinkens II CV”S!
what a great event with great & stylish/trendy photos 🙂 I was once volunteering @ a soup kitchen for the poor of the neighbourhood a few years back when Shea Hecht brought in Thompson for a very quick photo snap. Thompson went behind the counter & posed for the camera. The pose gave the impression that he was actually serving the people who were line up. Lasted 10-15 seconds @ best and then he left. Was that photo as real as his recent pledges to the Jewish community?
B”H you get points for trying but heaven help us if any of these liberal pro criminal types win (Thompson, Quinn etc.) It’s David Dinkins the second.I remember when he came to CH on Succos and promised jobs if he won. How many did he deliver-one
Chanie lax looking glam as always!
Yossi feiner looking good as usual nice to see your face on collive
I am curious if one of the friendships Thompson would like to boast to the Anash is his friendship with Al Sharpton.
Was a great Event!!!! young leadership is what we need!!!!
Let someone from this group run for Vaad Hakahal!!!!!