February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Andersson, a native New Yorker, Irish American and the city commissioner for the Department of Records and Information Services, says there are many reasons why his fellow Gothamites should welcome the Republican National Convention to town next week. Not least because the choice of venue was a bold one.
“I welcome this choice. It’s — ballsy isn’t the right word, nor is brave, but,” — Andersson pauses, his forthright New York delivery to think, then score a point. “Look, the Democrats went to Boston,” he continued. “Boston. How safe is Boston for a Democrat?”
Andersson is banking on the fact that Republicans, after all, are democrats too. To any would-be protestor, of whom there are expected to be 50 for every delegate, he says: “We Republicans have a right to free speech as well, you know.”
And he believes that the Republican National Convention, which opens on the evening of Aug. 30, will only be good for the city.
Of this fact, he still has much convincing to do — not least, he acknowledges, those from his own political persuasion.
“These delegates have never had a great love for New York City,” Andersson said. “So when all city commissioners were asked to include a little event or something in their normal business to welcome the conventioneers, I said, ‘Look, most people will have had at least one relative or ancestor who came through the Port of New York as an immigrant and who walked the streets of New York City. And I say to them, “welcome home.” ‘ “
Then, with perhaps just a little of New York City’s fine tradition for supreme adaptability, Andersson added: “then you make them feel like New Yorkers.”
But the Commissioner does have a political case to make for Republicans walking the Manhattan streets unharmed and unhindered. It’s not one that most liberals will want to be reminded of.
“We have had a Republican mayor for three terms now, and likely for a fourth term,” he said. “We cannot do that without Democrats. We could not have elected a Republican mayor in this city without Democratic votes.”
On the last day of the convention, Andersson says, he and a colleague will hold an event on Ellis Island where conventioneers will be able to learn more about how they’re all New Yorkers after all.
“Two of us are putting together a little program introducing them to the resources available for genealogy and for family history: the records that are available here, both the city archives and the national archives.”
The commissioner also suggests that next week, when New Yorkers get to see Republicans close up, they should extend a friendly hand of welcome.
“We could have gone to San Diego,” he said. “If you don’t agree with us, stay home.”
Then, he adds after a second thought: “Or come out and wave a placard.”