We feel that the interests of New Yorkers are always better served when there are well-spaced and well-informed debates.

Every candidate has its pluses and minus.

The Council is being strengthened as an institution, and the citizens of the city will be better served as a result.

New Yorkers now vote for vision, ideas, and skills that bring the city together, and for leaders who appeal to our common public interest instead of the special interests. That's the appeal of Bloomberg; people believe he isn't a typical politician, and that his only priority is a well-run city.

It's significant because never before has the city elected such an important person who's lesbian or gay to such a powerful position.

The fact that these folks are returning to government to serve in positions of great responsibility does raise some ethical questions about the appropriateness of these bonuses.