I was deeply saddened by the passing of one of the great mayors and Democrats of all time…
Ed Koch was the mayor who pulled New York up from the brink of bankruptcy to unprecedented economic boom during his three terms as Mayor from 1978-1989.
I’m not going to eulogies on he’s great achievements or compare him with Moses as Mayor Bloomberg did at his funeral: “our Moses. Just with a little less hair,”
I just want to share what we like to call in my little circle ‘Koch tales’--Of course the Mayor pronounced it "Kotch".
My Aunt Vera claims she asked the mayor the preverbal question at the preverbal bar mitzvah: “Mister Mayor why did you decide to became mayor?” the Mayor answered back sharply: “For the animals”. Vera taken back asked: “pardon me Mayor did you say The Animals?” “That’s right; all those dogs back in the 70’s”
For those who don’t remember New York was overrun with stray and feral dogs during the 1970’s. As crime rates soared people bought dogs for protection
As the economic crisis deepened and hyperinflation soared, people began to abandon dogs in enormous numbers. The city had literally gone to the dogs! Mayor Koch went on to state that he would stand in disbelief in front of the dog catcher van with tears rolling down his face vowing that this had to end … That's the kind of mensch we had as mayor ….
His headstone proclaims "he fiercely defended the City of New York, and he fiercely loved its people."
Please share your Koch tales