Mayor Addresses Term Limits At First News Conference Since Vote

By: NY1 News

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Mayor Michael Bloomberg took questions from the press Monday during his first big media event since the City Council passed his bill to extend term limits.

The mayor unveiled an expanded recycling program during the news conference, which was geared at bringing the focus to an issue other than the talk of term limits that's monopolized City Hall for the past several weeks.

As part of the new recycling program, 105 new blue and green bins are being installed in locations throughout the five boroughs, including at City Hall Park.

For a complete list of locations, visit nyc.gov or call 311.

"This will bring the total number of bins around the city to 231. And all the new sites have been selected because they're along current collection routes, so the only additional cost to the city are the new bins themselves," said the mayor. "In many cases we've also been helped by business improvement districts, which will be responsible for emptying the bids, storing the recyclables until the day the Sanitation Department is scheduled to swing by and pick them up."

Yet, the focus did shift back to the mayor's political ambitions. Bloomberg laughed off a question asking whether he wants to run as a Democrat next year.

"It's kind of unlikely. I've never had a conversation about it," said the mayor. "I'm not focusing on the campaign. I'm going to run, but that's way down the road."

Even though Bloomberg insists he is not thinking about politics, he took another step Monday to raise his profile nationwide.

The mayor released a memo to Newsweek giving advice to the two presidential candidates. Yet, Bloomberg said he has no interest in working in the next administration in Washington, D.C.

"It is very unlikely they would call me and say, 'the country needs you,'" said Bloomberg. "If they did, I would certainly be happy to give them my advice. I've offered to do that. I think I'm best suited to working here, in this city."

Given the lengthy process to extend term limits, it is unlikely that the mayor will run for any other office but mayor next year.

The earliest Bloomberg can sign the term limits legislation into law is later this week.