On radio news today I heard of a conflict regarding a development project in one of the NYC boroughs.

Developers want to a convert a property into a mall however the community is demanding that workers in the mall will be guaranteed a living wage. What’s a living wage? According to the report around $10 or $11 per hour. The developers argue that this guarantee of a demand will scare away retail clients and they are balking.

The mind boggles — the guarantee of a living wage — what is so wrong with that and if it indeed this demand scares retailers, what can be done about it?

I can almost hear the angry cries of socialism coming from some republican politicians at this very thought. However what the heck is wrong with a country that cannot guarantee a living wage to a worker. I dare say a heck of allot. I am all for developers making a living wage and then some, however why can’t they look at their budgets and partner with potential retailers right now to figure out how to make the project work?

Perhaps they will.

However it is not helpful for Mayor Bloomberg to side with the developers.  I would like to think that if this controversy happened before Election Day last November maybe Mr. Bloomberg would now only be Mr. Bloomberg and NYC’s former mayor.  Here is an opportunity to step up and address a pressing social, economic and political issue, but the pro business mayor has not. What would have been the harm?  He would have had to face a hard choice and address a hard issue that he does not want to do. Shame on him. Fiorello where are you when we need you?