Gennaro questions Lori Barrett, Esq. at carriage industry hearing

New York City Council Member James Gennaro's badgering of attorney Lori Barrett was the epitome of rudeness during a January 30, 2009 hearing at City Council chambers. Ms. Barrett had testified on behalf of the Bar Association of the City of New York, a prestigious entity that supports Intro. 658-A/2007, the landmark bill that would ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City, and opposes an industry bill (Intro. 653-A/2007) that would remove monitoring responsibilities from the ASPCA. (The Bar Association statements are available in pdf form on the web, at:
http://www.nycbar.org/pdf/report/Comment653a.pdf
http://www.nycbar.org/pdf/report/Carriage%20Horses%20Ban%201_3.pdf

Gennaro's arrogant display highlighted his unprecedented level of unprofessional behavior at the hearing. Ms. Barrett remained unruffled and cooperative throughout the absurd line of questioning, and Council Member Avella--sponsor of Intro. 658--called out his colleague's ridiculous behavior.
VIDEO CREDIT: ANTHONY SPEZIALE

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• carriage horse
• horse-drawn carriage
• Intro. 653A
• Intro. 658A
• Lori Barrett
• James Gennaro
• Tony Avella
• John Liu

[jta4jesus]

this really makes me crazy. it would have been really hard for me to stay and listen to this. i don't even think i can stand listening to this whole vid...the incessant badgering in itself is abuse!~

[PitytheHorses]

It is painful to even listen to Gennaro. But it's worth it to view Tony Avella's response. See also "One Council Member to Another," which is the last 2 minutes or so of this clip.

[wamy49]

Geez...I'm surprised Gennaro isn't defending the horses, since he obviously personifies their most prominent hindquarters. Glad I don't live in that city, if this is the type of specimen who gets elected...thank you, Atty. Barrett, and thanks to all of you who give voice to the voiceless. Never, ever give up -- those horses need you!!

[BanHDCarriages]

How a little jerk like Gennaro got any kind of public office is a mystery. He does not know how to act!

[RadioReporter01]

Go get 'em Tony!

[ModelTsNotHorses]

Thanks for posting this. I missed the hearing and am shocked to see this piece of testimony. How absurd. It makes me feel somewhat hopeless about the state of NYC to know that the inhumane carriage industry still exists there, and to see that people like Gennaro hold an elected office and represent New Yorkers! Are you sure he isn't an appointee????

[RomeosFriend]

That's not fair to the bozos! Gennaro is genuinely stupid, though, as he showed here. How sadly did his little ploy fail--trying to make her look bad, and instead he looks like an idiot. I have to say it--what a dickhead. No, that would be anatomically impossible in his case.

Liu shakes in his boots and righteous indignation next to him. Just what we need for comptroller: a scared zombie who insists he is "good with numbers."

[Alfons246]

Gennaro is a bozo. How do we get this level of dreck in the council anyway.? Ah yet. people get the government they deserve.

Liu is also a bozo - did you notice his face when Avella was talking? And he thinks he is going to be comptroller. Pul-leeze. oh, yes, he says he is good at math. I just wish he would stop illegally recruiting his staff members from taking part in his comptroller campaign and sending me e-mail. Help!